Deadly dog-on-dog assaults can be made a particular felony offence below a brand new legislation being proposed by a Tory MP.
Southend West MP Anna Firth, who's Sir David Amess's successor, is introducing a non-public members' invoice in a bid to amend the Animal Welfare Act.
Canine-on-dog assaults are presently solely a particular felony offence if the canine attacked is an help or service canine, however not pets.
Ms Firth's invoice is known as Emilie's Legislation after her constituent Michael Joannou’s canine who was mauled to loss of life by one other canine in an Essex park in 2021.
The previous barrister, who's a patron of the Conservative Animal Welfare Basis (CAWF), stated: "It's frankly scandalous that irresponsible canine homeowners are presently in a position to shirk all accountability when their canine fatally assaults one other, creating untold misery and hurt to the deceased canine’s proprietor and wider household.
“After all, not all canine are harmful and never all canine homeowners are irresponsible, however it's essential now we have accountability below the legislation in order that in cases, corresponding to Michael’s, justice could be pursued."
It comes as dog-on-dog assaults within the UK have risen by 700 % from 1,700 to 11,559 between 2016 and 2021, based on Freedom of Info knowledge from 28 police forces.
Ms Firth's invoice, which is because of have its first studying within the Commons on Might 23, is being backed by the CAWF and Conservative MPs Mark Francois and Henry Smith.
Former minister Mr Francois stated: “I'm happy to provide my wholehearted assist to this Invoice led by Anna Firth who's heroically persevering with the legacy of Sir David Amess and his unwavering dedication to advancing animal welfare.
"Canines are man’s finest buddy, but when they're killed by one other canine there may be presently no recourse for homeowners below the legislation.”
Crawley MP Mr Smith stated: “Emilie’s Legislation is about justice for the various canine who lose their lives every year by the hands of irresponsible canine homeowners with no authorized consequence.
"Canine assaults are on the rise and clearly one thing should be finished to make sure homeowners are held accountable when their canine fatally assaults one other."
Lorraine Platt, co-founder of the CAWF, added: "Pet canine present loving companionship for thousands and thousands throughout the UK, but there isn't any legislation to implement justice when a canine is fatally attacked by one other.
"We hope Emilie’s Legislation will incentivise accountable canine possession and assist to forestall such devastating assaults sooner or later.”
Mr Joannou was strolling Emilie, affectionately referred to as Millie, on the lead in Chalkwell Park in Leigh-on-Sea when the assault occurred in December 2021.
He stated the opposite canine who was not on the lead got here at her "like a missile" and "inside seconds" she was "torn in two in entrance of my eyes".
Mr Joannou rushed the eight-year-old bichon frise to the vets however she died shortly afterwards.
He stated: "My feelings are as sturdy now as they have been on the day it occurred and I simply hope that one thing involves justify the lack of Millie."
A Defra spokesperson stated: "Canine assaults can have tragic penalties - which is why it's a felony offence below the Harmful Canines Act 1991 to permit any canine to be dangerously uncontrolled."
Remark by Anna Firth
Our pets are sometimes extra than simply animals. So usually they're our companions, offering emotional assist throughout tough occasions and contributing vastly to our psychological well-being.
Canines are the preferred pets within the UK, serving as loyal companions and buddies to round 22 million of us. We should do all we are able to to guard them.
The devastation arising when a beloved canine is brutally attacked and killed by one other canine can't be underestimated.
That is one thing I've witnessed first-hand via my constituent Michael, who misplaced his stunning Bichon Frise Emilie in 2021.
Whereas nonetheless on her lead, Emilie (affectionately referred to as Millie) was violently attacked “like a missile” by an unleashed canine in his native park in Leigh-on-Sea in my stunning constituency of Southend West.
After the ordeal of watching Emilie be “shaken like a rag-doll”, Michael was left with no choice however to hold her, bleeding and with severe open accidents to her stomach, to the closest vet.
Regardless of their finest efforts, Emilie needed to be put down. Understandably, Michael stays traumatised to at the present time.
Very sadly, his story will not be distinctive. Within the 5 years between 2016 and 2021 there was a 700 % improve in dog-on-dog assaults, with one canine assault occurring each 45 minutes.
Devastatingly for each the canine and the proprietor, a few of these are deadly.
This staggering rise in assaults is maybe partly attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic, which noticed 12 % of individuals within the UK purchase a brand new pet, nearly half of which - 40 % - have been canine.
Hundreds of thousands of canine have been purchased through the pandemic with out being correctly socialised exterior with different canine or educated successfully.
What could be finished to handle the rising frequency of such assaults? Sadly, in instances like Michael's, the place he was not in concern for his personal private security, and Emilie was not a service or help canine, then the attacking canine can't be categorised as "harmful" below the legislation.
There's, due to this fact, little recourse out there for victims. In cases corresponding to these the proprietor bears no accountability, and the canine that precipitated Emilie's loss of life can proceed to roam the park freely, whereas Michael is just too traumatised to return.
It's merely unacceptable that bereft homeowners corresponding to Michael are rendered powerless below the legislation when their cherished pets fall sufferer to the negligence of irresponsible canine homeowners.
Clearly there's a urgent want to handle this subject, and that is exactly the motivation for the Animal Welfare (Duty for Canine Assaults) Invoice which I am launching in the present day and naming "Emilie's Legislation".
Emilie's Legislation will make deadly dog-on-dog assaults a felony offence, holding canine homeowners accountable for his or her pet's actions.
In essence, this Invoice would lengthen protections to all canine that presently solely apply to service and help canine.
After all, whereas the passing of this legislation can be a major step in the suitable path, its effectiveness will rely closely on enforcement. Subsequently, we should work intently with the police and legislation enforcement businesses to develop strong mechanisms that can be sure that offenders are delivered to justice.
I hope you'll be part of me in supporting Emilies Legislation which has its First Studying on Might 23.
Collectively we are able to ship a robust message that the protection of our canine, and certainly all members of our group, is of paramount significance.
We are able to deal with the small however vital minority of canine homeowners who're placing different pets in danger via their negligence and search justice for the various ‘Emilies’ who lose their lives every year.