To think that it's time for the dog license to be brought back

[cadburyegg]

Another dog attack, this time an adult mauled by her own dogs. 3 children are now without a mother.

I think that it's time for the dog license to be brought back. Would mean people have to think twice before getting a dog, would protect the general public but also responsible dog owners. AIBU? Thoughts?

I absolutely agree however it’s likely that the people who will actually get licenses are the responsible ones and it’s hugely difficult to enforce.

It would be much better to put measures in place to restrict breeding and monitor ownership of certain breeds- because yes some breeds are physically more dangerous and prone to attack. I say this as someone who was attacked by an Akita. It changed my life and I have terrible mental and physical scars due to the behaviour of an irresponsible owner. There needs to be a lot more education around how to care for these types of breed.

A license wouldn’t work, some breeds just need to be banned completely.

pretty they are. And it makes not one hot of difference.

Most dog owners are responsible.
Irresponsible dog owners aren't going to become any more responsible because you should get a bit of paper saying you can have a dog.

Is the person who gets a status dog, trains it to be aggressive and walks around thinking their dog makes them hard really going to stop having a dog or get them licenced? Probably not

Would a licence stop dog attacks, doubtful - what evidence do you have that licensing dogs would prevent them attacking?

Scittlescattle yes dog licences where a thing

I remember having to have one as a teen for the family dog. It was as a pp described, going up the post office once a year for a bit of paper. Can't see a bit of paper preventing a dog mauling someone. It was her dog anyway.

All dogs now, by law, need microchipping and an id tag, which means they are identifiable.

The only thing preventing this is responsible dog owners and banning dangerous dogs.

I agree OP but I also agree with the comments above about how it would be policed etc and the people who have dangerous dogs wouldn't care about the law. That said, any dog can be dangerous, not just the "dangerous" breeds.

Although if it works in NI, it could work in the rest of the UK too.

Not being a dog owner/lover, I hadn’t realised the dog licence had been scrapped! I think it’d be a good idea to bring it back then.

scittlescatter the banned list isn’t long enough IMO

It was her dog anyway.
One was hers, the other (which I understand was responsible for the attack) was her partner’s.

As said above, good owners who look after their animals properly would pay, the usual suspects would not and it would be expensive to enforce.

I am all in favour of reducing the breeding of dogs known to cause problems, but again difficult.

leckford
I agree.
I'd happily see the dangerous dog list expanded but then I know two people who've adopted staffies from rescue and have been rehabilitating them and they're lovely dogs.
Equally ban one dog that thugs think gives them status and they'll find another. I'm not sure banning loads of dogs and almost wiping them out is the answer to dickhead thugs.

I would be happy to pay for a license but in reality that will do nothing to stop unsuitable people keeping unsuitable dogs in unsuitable conditions.
The sensible people whose dogs are no trouble will comply and basically pay a fee to administrate a numerical system which will be completely ignored by some.
Having a licence number will make zero impact on people who leave dogs with children, don't train dogs, pass them around from owner to owner, bred dogs unsuitable for a pet lifestyle or breed unhealthy dogs.
It's the same as breeding. The government has brought in new regulations which all the conscientious people are complying with but it does nothing to stop puppy farmers churning out thousands more dogs into a saturated market, and random people breeding unsuitable dogs whenever they like.

Lol. Because dogs will all think ‘best not attack anyone - we’re registered remember!’

Where I live you do need a dog license! Personally I think that owners should have to pay to have their dogs microchipped from birth. Any dog found without a microchip would be confiscated until the owners pay up with a hefty fine or the dog is rehomed.

I live in N I and we have it. It involves going to the council offices and form filling.
Cost varies depending on factors. Neutered dogs being cheaper.
Also microchiipping I think is law.
My own dog being both .
Earlier this year we had 2 of the mastiffs appear out of nowhere. Thankfully I seen them and got my dog locked in the house before they jumped the wall and well.... Son had to chase them in the car. We called dog warden who knew who owned them and they got a warning . They scared the life out of me and were like wild animals . No one would have a chance near them.

Dogs are required to be microchipped by law in this country. They frequently aren't though. It's also not safe to microchip at birth, it needs to be done later.

It depends. In Spain there is a list of dogs that require a license for ownership.

The license is directed at the person not the dog ie no criminal record, no medical problems that meant the dog couldn’t be controlled etc.

Maybe something along the lines of that?

Although saying that my dh was walking our small terrier cross when a large Alsatian ran at him and attacked my dh (he was guarding our ddog). Supposedly the Alsatian should always be muzzled on a lead because he is on the list but he wasn’t.

So people would probably ignore license rules in the UK as they do in Spain.

Dh was lucky, just a few deep scratches. If the Alsatian had got our terrier he would have killed him.

I'd happily see the dangerous dog list expanded but then I know two people who've adopted staffies from rescue and have been rehabilitating them and they're lovely dogs.

Staffies are lovely dogs. It's an urban myth that they're dangerous. Their well known for being popular family dogs and good with kids. I do wish people didn't have this idea that they're dangerous. They're ''people pleasers'' so yes if their trained to fight they will, but I'd say most dogs are.

We've got a border collie, but I'd never say never to a Staffie. Gorgeous breed.

Personally I think that owners should have to pay to have their dogs microchipped from birth

It is already law that all dogs should be microchipped from 8 weeks old with fines of up to £500 if they’re not.

It’s also law that dogs should have a identity tag on their collars when out in public

I’m not sure what dog licensing would achieve or how it would be policed.

When there were dog licences did it reduce the number of attacks?

It's not a bad idea in theory but I'm unsure you could police it.

As a dog owner who puts a lot of care and training into my dog I can't help but resent the idea of needing to get licence because other people dont/won't do that.

Unfortunately, I think @Span1elsRock has it covered well.

Horrific though.