Failure of breed-specific policy in the UK

In 1991, the United Kingdom issued its Dangerous Dogs Act which essentially banned four different breeds of dogs that they, at the time, considered more dangerous than other types of dogs: Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa and American Pit Bull Terrier.

However, statistics contine to show that the legislation has not only been ineffective in promoting pubic safety, it may also have been counter-productive in its efforts.

According to a recent article in The Guardian, there were roughly 1,150 dog bites that led to hospitalization in 1990 -- the year before the DDA was enacted. By 2012, the number had risen steadily to 6,447 -- a whopping 460% increase in major bites. You can get an interactive chart at the link.

 Much of they're problem tends to be directly linked to the ordinance itself.

Last week, a 14 year old UK girl , Jade Anderson, was tragically killed by 4 dogs in a home where she was alone and visiting. By most accounts in the report, the girl was carrying a meat pie that the dogs were interested in, she tried to keep them away from the food and in the commotion, ended up attacked and killed by the dogs.

Based on the reports, there were three different breeds of dogs involved in the attack.

However, instead of focusing on the circumstances that led up to the attack, and caused it (pack mentality, victim potentially not well known to the dogs, the dogs being very large and too numberous and would not have been able to be handled by a young girl, potential food aggression), the authorities seem to be more focused on determining that none of the dogs involved were unlawful breeds.

Because they seem so focused on what type of dog is involved, they are completely missing the causal factors that may be leading up to the attack. And THUS, many residents of the UK are being misled into thinking they are 'safe' because they have dogs that are not of the restricted breeds instead of making appropriate procautions or being aware of warning signs. While most dogs ARE safe, dog owners certainly need to be aware of what warning signs to look for.

But they don't. And for 20 years people have been led down the path of faulty, misleading information, and the ignorance is causing more and more people to be injured. 

Dog attacks are not a breed-specific issue, and when it comes to dogs, there are dozens upon dozens of breeds that are large, strong, and capable of causing harm if they are poorly handled or raised, and have beahvioral issues that are left uncorrected -- especially when the largest number of the severe bite victims (nearly 20%) are under the age of 9 and thus, more vulnerable to bites (and less aware of warning signs given by the canine).

The UK breed ban has been a huge failure -- not only failing to protect the public from severe bites, but actually, through focusing on the wrong issues, having the opposite impact that was intended.

The failure has caused the majority of the professional organizations in the UK to be very vocal in speaking out against the breed ban -- including The British Veterinary Association, Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, the Kennel Club and the RSPCA.

The UK continues to be a glaring example of the failure of focusing on the look of the dog instead of on responsible bet ownership issues and the behavior of the dogs.

 

Comments

[Joel]

Timely to be posting this on Lennox's birthday, the most visible victim of the lunacy of this policy.

[Jen Brighton]

I've always thought the Lennox story should be made into a documentary or movie and shown around the world to bring awareness to BSL and its impact on families.

[Fran Coughlin]

I so appreciate the information gleamed from this site. When media prepetulates their hype I come here for a normal, sane and balanced view. Cirsumstances matter. Thanks Brent for all you do.

[Dianne R]

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/wjlatv/posts/10151540046008734

Brent, here is a local story of a 5 yo bitten by resident dogs in the backyard. The news article does not name breeds. Some on the discussion on facebook assume pit bulls - and others point out any breed can bite.

[Brent]

Thanks Dianne. I've seen several reports now naming breeds of dogs, and it doesn't look like any of the dogs were "pit bulls". This is exactly why I wish the entire discussion about breeds being a causal factor would go away so we can focus the conversation on how/why this incident happened.

[Dianne R]

I have seen 2 Cane Corso and English bull dog. Now the Post is reporting Pitbull, bull dog and Italian hunting dog
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/charles-county-girl-is-badly-injured-in-attack/2013/04/04/c4dcd356-9cdb-11e2-9a79-eb5280c81c63_story.html?wpisrc=nl_buzz
Looks like a good discussion is brewing... maybe we are finally making an impression.