As a nation of animal lovers, of which I am definitely one, I recognise how important it is that we have legislation in place which protects animals, including our beloved pets.
Thanks to action taken by the last Conservative Government, the UK has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world. The previous Government introduced new laws to recognise animal sentience, introduce tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences and banned wild animals in travelling circuses. Please do click on this link to find out more: Mims Davies MP Statement on Animal Welfare | Mims Davies
I have been contacted by quite a few constituents about dog welfare issues, including breed specific legislation, racing greyhounds, e-collars and the Blue Cross manifesto. I have gathered these together and will do my best to respond to each campaign below.
As you are no doubt aware, fatal and serious dog attacks rose sharply in 2023, and the XL Bully breed appears to have been disproportionately involved in this rise. While I recognise that this is a sensitive issue, parliamentary colleagues and I have a responsibility to maintain public safety.
XL Bully dogs are large, muscular animals which can also be unpredictable and uncontrollable, as well as highly protective to their owners and aggressive to others. We must balance the views of those who want to repeal or amend breed specific legislation with our responsibility to ensure that the public is protected from dog attacks. Given this rise in fatalities and other attacks, more decisive action was needed, aimed specifically at the XL Bully.
As a result, the XL Bully type was added to the list of dogs prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act. As of 31 December 2023, it is illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, rehome, abandon or allow XL Bully dogs to stray in England and Wales. XL Bully dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public, and they cannot be abandoned or allowed to stray. A failure to comply will be a criminal offence.
As of 1 February 2024, it has also become illegal to own an XL Bully dog if it is not registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs. There was a transitional period to ensure current owners of this breed had time to prepare for these new rules. Owners who wished to legally keep their dogs were given until 31 January 2024 to register their dog on the Index of Exempted dogs and comply with the requirements. As part of the process, all owners were required to provide proof that their dog had been microchipped and neutered.
As of 1 February 2024, owners without a Certificate of Exemption could receive a criminal record and an unlimited fine if they are found to be in possession of an XL Bully type, and their dog could be seized. Owners had the option to have their dog put to sleep rather than keeping them under the new conditions, with the Government paying a contribution of £200 per dog towards the costs associated with this.
Owners whose dogs are dangerously out of control are already breaking the law, and the enforcement authorities have a full range of powers to apply penalties. Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, people can be imprisoned for up to 14 years, be disqualified from ownership, or their dangerous dogs can be euthanised.
I hope the Government will continue to work closely with the police, canine and veterinary experts, and animal welfare groups, as these important measures are enforced and monitored.
Regarding racing greyhounds, it is already the case that anyone failing to provide for the welfare of a racing greyhound in their care could face prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act, as well as enforcement action from the sport’s governing body, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB). New legislation came into force in 2021, increasing the maximum sentence for the worst animal cruelty offences from six months to five years.
I am aware that significant progress has been made to improve greyhound welfare, and it remains unclear if the new Labour Government believes a ban on racing is necessary.
The Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010 were reviewed in 2016, both by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the House of Commons' Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee. The review found that, judged against their original objectives, the regulations have been broadly effective.
The review also identified areas where the industry could take further action and Defra has worked closely over the last few years with the GBGB to ensure these actions are taken. This includes the annual publication of injury, euthanasia and retirement statistics, and addressing welfare issues at the GBGB affiliated trainers’ kennels. The GBGB's long-term welfare strategy will further promote and protect welfare at all stages of a racing greyhound’s life, not just its racing career.
I understand that the Government is monitoring the GBGB’s progress in delivering the strategy and should further measures and protections be required the Government will consider options which are targeted, effective, and proportionate.
I am glad that the British Greyhound Racing Fund collects a voluntary levy from bookmakers. These funds directly support greyhound welfare and the sport’s integrity, and to a lesser extent the development and promotion of the sport. I am aware that around 95 per cent of all licensed betting offices, including those online, are contributing to the voluntary greyhound levy.
It was interesting to read Blue Cross's manifesto which highlights these issues among others and gives recommendations to improve the welfare of dogs.
The manifesto calls for the introduction of a robust system of registration and licensing for all who breed and sell dogs and commitment to enforce legislation prohibiting breeding dogs when it’s likely to lead to welfare issues for the mother or puppies; responsible dog ownership courses; a centralised database to record information on dog bites, including the breed involved, the severity, and the circumstances of the incident; a statutory licensing system for dog walkers, groomers and boarders; a ban on shock collars in England; legislation to prohibit greyhound racing; and an extension to bereavement leave to include the death of a much loved family pet.
I know some of these issues, for example shock collars, had been looked at by the previous Government. As you may know, prior to the general election, the last Government announced its intention to ban training collars in England that can deliver an electric shock to a cat or dog by a hand-held remote-controlled device. Sadly, these changes were not brought in before the general election and, as such, it is now for the new Government to determine how to proceed.
However, the decision behind banning these collars followed research, commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affair which showed that many e-collar users were not using them properly or in compliance with the manufacturers’ instructions. This included a consultation which received more than 7,000 responses alongside engagement with trainers, behaviourists, e-collar manufacturers, the animal welfare sector, veterinary and dog keeping organisations.
I believe that any potential future legislative changes to animal welfare will also need to be evidence based and I will follow any developments closely on behalf of my constituents.
