to be surprised so few have signed?

[Flojobunny]

Just signed the 'Justice for Jade' e-petition.
If it reaches 100,000 signature, they can discuss it in parliament.
Surprised to find only 2,000 or so votes.
It is to change the law so people can be prosecuted if their dog attacks on private property.
Is this not important?

[Sommink]

I was bitten by a dog. I wouldn't call myself attacked.

I was picking up stones and throwing them into a stream, a dog off its lead came over and tried to get the stone out of my hand. I still have the scars and it was very painful. Even if the dog isn't attacking what it can do to a small child is still dangerous and the effects can last a lifetime.

My daughter is terrified of dogs. When she was 2 four dogs off the lead ran up to her and jumped up at her. I picked her up so she was higher and they still jumped. Their owners didn't even bother to apologise. At 5 she would still run into the road if a dog came near her as she looks for any form of escape and you can physically see her pail.

I feel dogs of leads if a far bigger issue. Just because you are happy with your dog being off the lead and feel you have full recall doesn't mean everyone around you is happy, or that other dogs who are on their leads will be happy with a dog running up to them.

Sorry to go off topic.

I won't be signing the petition.

[HollyBerryBush]

True, but that ^ is as the result of public consultation in April-June 2012.

So by my reckoning, within a year they already have free microchipping available to everyone, with it becoming compulsory in another 3 years - that is actually quite a speed

[Verbalpunchbag]

Holly considering the glacial speed at which government often moves I don't see what harm a prod in the right direction from the public will do.

[HollyBerryBush]

I fail to see what isn't already covered by DEFRA and the Dangerous Dogs Act

www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/dog-ownership/

I didn't know this - that there is free microchipping available to all dogs at present, with becoming compulsory in April 2016 along with registering the animal.


""All dogs will need to be microchipped by 6 April 2016. This will allow people and small businesses, such as breeders, to adapt to the new requirement. The legislative mechanism to introduce this measure will be by regulations under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

From that date owners will need to have their dog microchipped and registered on one of the authorised commercial databases available; owners will have to register the details of any new owner before they sell or give the dog away. Any owner will have to keep their contact details up to date on the microchip databases.""

Again this is already in the pipeline:


Summary

Defra sought views on a proposed package of measures aimed at tackling irresponsible ownership of dogs. The main proposals:
?Extending the criminal offence of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control to private property (where the dog has a right to be);
?Compulsory microchipping of dogs;
?Removing the need to seize and kennel all dogs where court proceeding are pending; and
?Increase the fee for placing a dog on the Index of Exempted Dogs

[Nancy66]

If you're going to go to the trouble to launch a petition which, presumably, you want hundreds of thousands of people to sign - then why would you not proof read the wording?

Yes, I know it's petty but the fact it's so badly written will put many off.

[Verbalpunchbag]

Beer, aren't most prosecutions retrospective? You can't really prosecute someone until the crime has been committed!

[Verbalpunchbag]

The purpose of the petition is to force a debate about the issue in parliament and hopefully prompt a change in the law, how the petition is worded isn't important.

[QuintessentialShallots]

To be honest, I would sign anything that would promote responsible dog ownership one way or another, or give anybody real power to act in the face of dog owners not picking up dog poo, not keeping aggressive dogs on leaches, but I doubt this petition will achieve this.

Personally, I think most dogs are pests. (Due to their owners, I suppose)
I have lost count of dog owners laughing at their dogs nipping and jumping on my dc, saying "oh isnt he cute, he is so playful" There is nothing cute about a dog chasing a child, barking and nipping.

In fact, if there was a petition that allowed parents to carry paint guns to mark unfriendly dogs for dog wardens to put down, I would sign it!

[HollyBerryBush]

To be very picky the petition is ill written and wishy washy, which is why most of these things fail.

Quote: ""We want to get the law changed to make dog owners accountable for their dogs at the moment the police have no powers to prosecute dog owners if their dog attacks somebody on private property we want that changed as well as regulating certain breads of dogs so they have a license and have the dog registered and micro chipped . this would give police the power to confiscate viscous dogs that are unlicensed and hopefully we can save other family's suffering like we have gone through"" unquote


These are statistically the top ten vicious dog breeds (by reported bites) in the UK - do you think any of these come under the petitions 'regulating certain breeds' ? Confiscate? and do what with it?


1.Dachshunds
2.Chihuahua
3.Jack Russell
4.Australian Cattle Dog
5.Cocker Spaniel
6.Beagle
7.Border Collie
8.Pit Bull Terrier
9.Great Dane
10.English Springer Spaniel

[Verbalpunchbag]

Fallenninja, it's not a knee jerk reaction, the present dangerous dogs act is inadequate and there have been moves to change the law for some time now. Considering hospital admissions for dog attacks have increased by 500% in the last twenty years it seems something needs to be done to tackle irresponsible owners. There is no reason why trespassers can't be excluded from the law and responsible owners who have proper control over their animals should have nothing to fear.

[Mimishimi]

I am not surprised. However, is it established that the dogs actually did belong to the owner of the property? I am sure there would be grounds for legal action if they did not. Why was Jade there by herself? We get packs of dogs in Australia. Sadly, there is no one breed where it's not possible for them to get in with the 'wrong crowd' ( and yes, they are usuallly teenage- in dog years- males ). We had to give away labrador once because he started attacking chickens with another dog, then a couple more joined them and they started attacking calves at a nearby dairy farm. M&D didn't believe it when the farmer first started telling them because he would come back clean in the early evening but once they knew for sure they were concerned he might have turned on us.

[HollyBerryBush]

People won't sign because they don't want to be held responsible for their dogs

I don't have a dog and I won't sign it.

[TheFallenNinja]

I wouldn't sign for 2 reasons

It want give anyone justice.

I've yet to see a knee jerk law that does what it intends.

[Verbalpunchbag]

People won't sign because they don't want to be held responsible for their dogs, it's their right to let their dog bite visitors to their home don't you know! I'll be signing it.

[HollaAtMeBaby]

I've signed.

But then, I bloody hate dogs. I'd happily sign a petition for the whole stinking lot of them to be wiped out altogether.

[Sparklyblue]

I have signed.

[erowid]

I wouldn't sign it.

[MousyMouse]

I have signed.
I think many things could be better with regards to dog ownership/responsibilities and this would be a good start.
worried dog owners could always take out insurance and/or train dogs better or get rid of a dog they cannot care adequately for.