DANGEROUS DOGS

The Dangerous Dogs Acts of 1871 and 1991 supplemented by the Animal Welfare Act of 2006 form the basis of most prosecutions dealing with problems caused by man`s best friend. During my whole time on the bench I don`t think I sat on more than three such matters which more or less confirms the rarity of such prosecutions.   Currently under UK law one dog attacking another is not classed as a crime - but treated as a civil matter. Police can only step in and bring a prosecution if a dog attacks a person. This analysis might provide interesting reading for those who seek to delve into how laws are changed.  Ten defendants were proceeded against at magistrates' courts, and five were found guilty at all courts of offences related to dog fighting in England and Wales, in 2014.  The recording and analysis of these types of offences and their consequences seems less than wholly transparent which for much of government is nothing new.