For the first time, the UK’s most prominent animal welfare organisation has been prepared to publicly support calls for a repeal of section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) – Section 1 is the part of the legislation which bans dogs based on their breed or type.

Section 1 of the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act is a highly controversial and widely criticised clause that promotes breed specific legislation. Many experts, law makers and dog lovers from around the UK and globally have seen the devastation caused by breed specific legislation – which outlaws dogs by ‘type’, meaning a dog is deemed ‘dangerous’ and illegal simply based on what it looks like and not because of any offence caused by the dog. As a result of breed specific legislation (BSL) in the UK, many innocent dogs have lost their lives since the law was brought in by Ken Baker in 1991.

Now the RSPCA has set the wheels in motion for other prominent welfare groups to come out and publicly call on the law makers to end section 1 and replace it with fair, effective dog laws which do not condemn dogs to death based on what the look like. The UK can put itself in a position to follow the example set by the Netherlands in repealing section 1 in favour of a law that will place the burden of responsibility on owners rather than terminating the lives of dogs who are guilty of nothing more than looking a certain way.

The move comes about following a productive and engaging meeting between the RSPCA’s Government Relations Manager, Claire Robinson, DDAWatch and the C- fidos at the end of 2008.

The RSPCA public backing for repeal gives anti BSL campaigners the boost they have been waiting for while sending a clear message to the Government that section 1 of the DDA is a failed, unfair concept that needs to be reformed without delay.

DDAWatch – an anti BSL campaign group – has congratulated the RSPCA on the decision to call for action having been previously disheartened to hear many organisations publicly state anti BSL positions but falling short of actually calling for an immediate repeal of section 1.

Alison Green of DDAWatch:

“We are so thrilled to see the RSPCA step up to the plate on such an important issue that has cost the lives of many innocent dogs. For those people who have been actively involved in fighting section 1 cases, for those of us who’ve seen dog owner’s lives ripped apart by this appalling law, which has not protected the public at all, this announcement from the RSPCA will hopefully herald the start of many more calls for repeal and eventually the repeal itself. Now owners and anti BSL campaigners alike have some hope to cling to after so many false dawns. Now we have the opportunity of a lifetime to finally get the Government to see sense. They need to listen to the RSPCA and make the right call. Section 1 has been an unmitigated failure and an animal welfare disaster. It is such a relief to hear the RSPCA being brave and honest enough to publicly call for a repeal where other influential and supposedly anti BSL organisations have fallen short, instead citing ‘political climate’ as a reason to keep BSL.”

Ryan O’Meara, chief executive of C-fidos:

“This is truly great news. It seems such a simple thing to do, to publicly support an end to BSL – especially given that the RSPCA and other major animal welfare organisations have publicly stated their position as being anti BSL – but despite the anti BSL positions held by many organisations and individuals we still have BSL and we have it because we still have section 1 of the DDA. The way to end BSL is to end section 1 and replace it. The RSPCA coming in with public support for the position held by C-fidos and DDAWatch gives legitimacy and momentum to campaigners to call on their government to end BSL. It’s no longer a concept, being anti BSL, it’s a real, tangible opportunity to call the government to account over a highly unfair, unpopular and completely unsuccessful law.”

We are appealing for C-fidos members, supporters or ANY dog lover with concern for canine health and wellbeing to join in with this important process.

APGAW has asked written evidence from all interested parties and C-fidos is fully committed to this process. In particular we seek evidence on any information you may have on regulation of the industry, structure of the breeding and showing industry, identification of dogs to establish parentage and how current breed standards work.

The evidence should be presented in the following form;

A covering letter containing:

• the name and contact details of the persons or organisation submitting the evidence.

• any request that the committee treat the whole, or part, of the written evidence as confidential, with reasons for the request.

The evidence should be presented;

•with a word limit of 2,000 words

•in electronic form to admin@apgaw.org unless agreed otherwise with the secretariat.

•by the deadline of 1st February 2009

A self-contained memorandum containing;

• an executive summary of the main points made in the submission.

•any recommendations for action by the Government or others which the submitter would like the committee to consider for inclusion in its report.

NB The memorandum can be omitted if the evidence given is only one page long.

NB If evidence is submitted which falls outside of these conditions it will not be considered by the committee.

This is an open call for evidence and you are welcome to circulate the call more widely to those you feel may be interested in responding. Evidence submitted to APGAW may be published in the final report of the working group. Please direct any enquiries to Marisa Heath on 07736 899 547.

The above is if you would like to submit your proposal directly to APGAW. If you would prefer to submit your information to C-fidos and have it placed under consideration for inclusion in our own submission, please contact us with your information.

An all party group for members of both houses at Westminster formed to promote and further the cause

of animal welfare by all means available to the Parliaments at Westminster and in Europe
Chair: Eric Martlew MP; Joint Vice Chairs: Dr Nick Palmer MP & Rt Hon Eliot Morley MP
Joint Honorary Secretaries: Norman Baker MP, Baroness Gale, Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior; Treasurer: David Amess MP

The Coalition For Improved Dog Ownership Standards – C-fidos – is a not for profit officially affiliated partner of the Pet Owners Parliament.

The organisation is set up to work on initiatives that directly lead to the general improvement of dog ownership standards in the United Kingdom.

There are 7 founding principles and all work done by C-fidos is performed in common with these principles:

1) That dogs and society in the UK would benefit from a nation of better informed dog owners
2) That dog related legislation should be fair and not based on breed type
3) That the UK should strive to address and reduce the number of dogs surrendered to shelters
4) That all dog owners should be made aware of the principles of the Animal Welfare Act
5) That all potential dog owners should be better informed as to how to select responsible suppliers of dogs
6) That irresponsible suppliers and producers of dogs should be properly legislated against
7) That educating young people about dogs is to the great benefit of dogs and society in the future

This means C-fidos is now able to supply responses to a number of issues when DEFRA send out consultation documents on animal welfare related issues.

Based on the broad wealth of experience and skills within the  coalition, C-fidos really can provide a voice on the issues you care about.

So come on board, have your say. Get heard!

JOIN C-FIDOS >>

We are appealing for canine professionals and experts who have advice to give and would like to give it.

If you have articles and help sheets that you would like to share via this website, please get in touch with us.

We are building up a free resource here at www.cfidos.co.uk for dog owners, children, teachers and prospective owners who are in the research page.

Items for early consideration:

• Selecting a responsible dog breeder
• Selecting a high quality dog trainer / canine behaviour professional
• Dealing with destructive behaviour
• Coping with separation anxiety
• Establishing a strong bond between dog and owner(s)
• Dogs and children: (we will dedicate an entire section of the site to this topic)

If you would like to submit your material(s) for consideration, please contact us:

official affiliate of: The Pet Owners Parliament

Janet is the Senior Animal Welfare Officer for a Local Authority and has been in the post for 15 years.

She is also manager of the dog warden service and responsible for licensing of all animal related premises.

As well as being a qualified veterinary nurse, Janet also holds a BSc Animal Behaviour and Welfare, ILEX law degree, 2x C&G’s. Animal Welfare and Pet store management.

She is a part time lecturer at Local Animal College and BHSAI Instructor and is a valuable and much appreciated addition to the C-fidos team.

Janet’s role as C-fidos Local Authority Liaison Manager will be to help ensure the activities and initiatives undertaken by C-fidos are communicated to local authorities. As C-fidos builds up its links and relationships with animal welfare groups, the media, politicians and the general public it is important to make sure we are communicating our strategies to local authorities and vice versa. Jan will be the ‘foot in both camps’ who can help us to coordinate our efforts to our (and dog owners) mutual benefit.

C-fidos chief executive Ryan O’Meara:

It is a great advantage for us to have someone of Janet’s capabilities and experience in this important role. Janet understands local authorities and how they operate and she believes in the concept of C-fidos. Via Janet we can ensure that we are truly operating as a coalition and that we are all working from the same page.

I must also extend thanks to C-fidos chairman Neil Burton who’s contacts and experience enabled us to land someone of Janet’s calibre.

The fact that C-fidos has had so many high quality people get in touch and offer their services and vast experience to the organisation really is testament to how much people truly care about trying to drive up dog ownership standards and ‘get on the same page’ with initiatives geared towards our 7 principles.

Pet-Abuse.com has created a live news feed that will run via the C-fidos website here.

We are grateful to the sterling work done by Pet-Abuse.com and encourage C-fidos supporters and pet lovers alike to check the site regularly if you are seeking a centralised location reporting on animal abuse cases and pet abusers.