We must have justice for fatal dog-on-dog attacks, says ANNA FIRTH

Our pets are sometimes extra than simply animals. So typically they're our companions, offering emotional help throughout troublesome instances and contributing vastly to our psychological well-being.

Canines are the most well-liked pets within the UK, serving as loyal companions and mates 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 critical open accidents to her stomach, to the closest vet.

Regardless of their greatest efforts, Emilie needed to be put down. Understandably, Michael stays traumatised to today.

Very sadly, his story isn't distinctive. Within the 5 years between 2016 and 2021 there was a 700 % enhance 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.

Anna Firth

Southend West MP Anna Firth (Picture: PARLIAMENT)

Hundreds of thousands of canine have been purchased throughout the pandemic with out being correctly socialised outdoors with different canine or educated successfully.

What may be carried out to deal with 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 labeled as "harmful" below the legislation.

There may be, subsequently, little recourse obtainable for victims. In situations equivalent to these the proprietor bears no duty, and the canine that precipitated Emilie's loss of life can proceed to roam the park freely, whereas Michael is simply too traumatised to return.

It's merely unacceptable that bereft homeowners equivalent 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 deal with this challenge, and that is exactly the motivation for the Animal Welfare (Accountability for Canine Assaults) Invoice which I am launching immediately and naming "Emilie's Regulation".

Emilie

Emilie was killed in a canine assault throughout a stroll in an Essex park in 2021 (Picture: Michael Joannou)

Emilie's Regulation will make deadly dog-on-dog assaults a legal offence, holding canine homeowners accountable for his or her pet's actions.

In essence, this Invoice would lengthen protections to all canine that at present solely apply to service and help canine.

In fact, whereas the passing of this legislation can be a major step in the appropriate course, its effectiveness will rely closely on enforcement. Subsequently, we should work carefully with the police and legislation enforcement companies to develop strong mechanisms that can make sure that offenders are delivered to justice.

I hope you'll be part of me in supporting Emilies Regulation which has its First Studying on Could 23.

Collectively we are able to ship a robust message that the security of our canine, and certainly all members of our group, is of paramount significance.

We are able to tackle 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.

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