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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Banned from keeping animals for life

27 replies

NeedACleverNN · 16/08/2016 21:28

Just watched the dog rescuers and a common punishment for those found guilty of animal abuse, is usually being banned from keeping animals for life.

How is this actually policed? If you moved to the other end of the country, changed your name and went to a local back yard breeder for a dog, no one would know would they?

AIBU to think this punishment is not adequate?

OP posts:

VladmirsPoutine · 16/08/2016 21:31

What do you suggest?

Original poster

NeedACleverNN · 16/08/2016 21:33

A decent prison sentence for one

16 weeks suspended sentence is not really a punishment is it?

OP posts:

ThymeLord · 16/08/2016 21:33

It's a ridiculous punishment IMO, utterly pointless. As if Joe Bloggs backyard breeder checks who he sells his dogs or cats to. It's totally unregulated and anyone with the cash can walk away with a new dog/whatever pet to further abuse. Pisstake

acasualobserver · 16/08/2016 21:33

I suppose the same could be said of drunks who are banned from driving or sex offenders from using the Internet.

GerryAndPerry · 16/08/2016 21:38

Would you rather they weren't banned from keeping animals? A suspended prison sentence is still a prison sentence - they'll have fun trying to get a job/travelling (forget USA etc) and if they try to get an animal and are found out while they are on the suspended sentence (they will be in contact with probation throughout) they will be sent to prison.
A ban on keeping animals is the best way animals can be protected from these people, even if they had a short term in prison there would be nothing to stop them getting an animal when they get out otherwise.

AppleSetsSail · 16/08/2016 21:40

It's not enforced. My dog was attacked (nearly killed) by a banned breed and the owner in question was banned from owning dogs for life - he has a dog again. I see him all the time with the dog.

While we're at it, we also had our car stolen a couple of years ago - this fellow was caught in the commission of another car theft - his punishment was a £140 fine. Mind you I've just sent off £400 for going 38 in a 30.

What a pathetic criminal justice system we have here in the UK.

BestZebbie · 16/08/2016 21:40

Yes, the point of it isn't so much that the ban actually prevents them getting more animals but that it makes it easier to do something about it legally to protect those when they inevitably do get more and someone reports them again.

Original poster

NeedACleverNN · 16/08/2016 21:42

Would you rather they weren't banned from keeping animals?

I don't mind that they are banned. It's just so unenforceable that it seems to be no point to it apart from if they are caught again.

OP posts:

AppleSetsSail · 16/08/2016 21:43

It hardly matters. If the dog wardens show up at their house, they'll say the dog belongs to someone else. If they live alone, they'll find a friend to say it's theirs.

Kpo58 · 16/08/2016 21:43

I don't see the point of suspended sentences. You might as well as not sentenced them as it's no real punishment.

Trashbox · 16/08/2016 21:43

They should be taken outside and pelted with rotten fruit!

GahBuggerit · 16/08/2016 21:44

i agree op, id like to see prison sentences, bigger fines, and more checks made on those banned but there arent the resources.

cant get my head around people who abuse their pets, they are so helpless and reliant on their owners, makes me shudder to think whatelse they would be capable of

SemiNormal · 16/08/2016 22:07

Trashbox - Oh yes, but what about THEIR human rights!!

Anyone who hurts animals should get the same as what they'd get if it was a child, both are vulnerable and cannot speak out for themselves! I despise anyone who hurts animals.

AnotherPrickInTheWall · 16/08/2016 22:08

A man was killed recently by a dog in Huddersfield. It had attacked before and placed in a pound by police,but wasn't categorised as a dangerous breed so was released.

ToastDemon · 16/08/2016 22:10

Bugger rotten fruit, I would throw rocks at them.

GerryAndPerry · 16/08/2016 22:14

ApplesetsSail - have you reported this man to the police? If not, why not?

kali110 · 16/08/2016 22:15

There should be tougher sentences. 6 months in prison, suspended, or fines are a joke
Banned from keeping animals is joke too because nobody ever checks!

DearMrDilkington · 16/08/2016 22:21

I personally think the law should be anyone who wants to own an animal needs to pay a licence and to gain the licence they have to pass a test on the breed of animal they get. Not fair on responsible pet owners but might stop some of neglect and stop people buying animals as Christmas presents for their children that end up in a rescue centre by easter.

GerryAndPerry · 16/08/2016 22:22

OP you don't see any point in the ban?
How about flaunting it gives the police immediate right to remove the animals (whether they are being treated cruelly or not). The person will be also be in breach of a court order and liable for further punishment.
I'm interested to see apple's response to whether they have notified the police, because people who know the person is banned, reporting that the offender has an animal again to the police is exactly how the police can enforce a court order.
Everyone knows the police don't have time to monitor potential criminal behaviour but if you see it and know they won't know, it's your responsibility to do something about it.
Or write to your MP, volunteer to become a magistrate, try and DO something rather than moaning about how crap the legal system is and doing NOTHING.

CalleighDoodle · 16/08/2016 22:23

I know of this being enforced. My friend was told by her stepson that his other parent had a dog, friend phoned the relevant peoeple and dog was immediately removed.

GabsAlot · 16/08/2016 22:41

yes but calleigh someone has to know and then grass u up it snot polliced

animals rights arent treated like ours dont kow anyone who actually got a decent sentence for abuse of animals in this country

CalleighDoodle · 16/08/2016 22:51

But the op does know. So it will be dealt with.

CalleighDoodle · 16/08/2016 22:53

Not op sorry. apple

AppleSetsSail · 18/08/2016 10:25

Or write to your MP, volunteer to become a magistrate, try and DO something rather than moaning about how crap the legal system is and doing NOTHING.

You mean nothing apart from paying taxes?

No, I've not reported this to the police. I've long since given up with respect to dogs in London. If you even go so far as to film someone in my borough (LBHF) mistreating an animal, teaching then to fight, letting them poo without cleaning it up, etc and hand it over to the dog warden, they'll tell you that they cannot act on filmed evidence - it has to be observed by a warden.

There are virtually no dog wardens about.

I've visited my MP's surgery a few times, he agrees that the dog situation is bad. Not much consolation!

GerryAndPerry · 18/08/2016 17:44

Well I'm afraid you are in no position to complain if you can't even be arsed to let the police know that someone is breaching a court order. Clearly animal cruelty is not something you really care about or you would take action.
Being a member of society is more than paying taxes and then sitting back expecting the world to dance to your tune. We all pay taxes, it's just some of us contribute more than just money to our community as a whole.

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