To think dog licenses should be re-introduced

[copernicium]

Not as a government money making scheme or a paper exercise, but as somehow regulating dogs that are not being controlled or cared for as they should be. Like maybe as a way of funding some kind of "health visitor" role for dogs?

Just to add, I write this after being awoken at 6:30 every morning of my first annual leave since Christmas, by a lady with four dogs who has to chase them down the street, screaming and swearing at them as they bark and fight with each other. So I'm pissed off, but not anti-dog - next door have a beautiful large dog that you never hear, and is walked all the time.

Then there's the dog who howls and cries constantly for ten hours a day, whilst being locked in the garage while the owner is at work. It's actually a heart-breaking sound.

And the three dogs, including a husky, that never get walked, just let out to use the garden morning and night. Surely the owners can see they need exercise?

And that's just in my tiny street of 20 or so houses.

There just seems to be an increase in the amount of anti-social behaviour, and low level abuse towards dogs, that isn't governed by anyone - RSPCA aren't interested in a dog locked up in a garage all day, as it has access to food and water; no-one is interested in hours of barking as it isn't a certain level of noise. Ultimately, the dogs suffer as anyone can just go and buy one and no-one ever checks on them their entire life...

What happens if a dog is found to be unlicensed and the owner refuses to pay for one, or can't get one? Rescues are full to bursting as it is - do you want these dogs to be put down, even if they're perfectly healthy, happy and have good lives?

Because if they're not going to be put down when they're confiscated, what will happen to them? A life stuck in a council pound?

What happens if a dog is found to be unlicensed and the owner refuses to pay for one, or can't get one? Rescues are full to bursting as it is - do you want these dogs to be put down, even if they're perfectly healthy, happy and have good lives?

Sadly, yes, they would need to be killed. Hopefully in the longer term rescues would be less full. If microchipping and licensing were rigourously enforced then in theory there shouldn't be any strays.

@copernicium

I was thinking the license fee would pay for the enforcement.

Well they'd have to charge a significant sum for that to be the case. Probably at least£50 a year, maybe more if it was to cover the cost of the scheme and provide funding for enforcement.

I remember DM buying a dog licence from the post office when I was a child. She was literally paying a few pence for a piece of paper that served no purpose whatsoever as there was no associated enforcement.

So... execute the animals if people can't afford an extra tax? Should go very well with the elderly or homeless people...

Animals don't get executed.

And actually yes I can see the point of dog owners paying for the cost of enforcement necessary to lessen the impact of their hobby on society. But people are so weird about dogs I don't know that it would work.

It wouldn’t be enforced.

Have you heard of anyone being prosecuted for not having their dog microchipped?

Despite the millions of pounds available per year we can’t even manage to make sure all vehicles have valid VED.

Dogs aren’t “a hobby”. They’re part of the family.

how many cars drive around with no tax and insurance and that’s supposed to be monitored , these systems don’t work

They do work - most people do have tax and insurance, there are just a few toerags who don't. The same would apply for dog licences - most people would get one (I thought they all had to be micro-chipped anyway) and you could also put the onus on breeders and rescue centres to ensure that they did not sell/give away a dog without ensuring the owner-to-be had one. Of course that wouldn't stop the odd person giving one to a friend but the numbers would be small.

Dogs aren’t “a hobby”. They’re part of the family

They are absolutely are a hobby - and an expensive one.

Sadly, yes, they would need to be killed. Hopefully in the longer term rescues would be less full. If microchipping and licensing were rigorously enforced then in theory there shouldn't be any strays.

Why do you think the only options are "rigorously enforced licensing" or death?

@VinylDetective

Dogs aren’t “a hobby”. They’re part of the family.

I'd argue that they're both. My dog is part of my family but he's also a big commitment and we have to adjust our lives around him to a great extent.

@cologne4711 in November 2019 , the government estimate was that there were 600, 000 + cars on the road in the Uk with no tax , that number is not a few toerags .

I would be happy to have a dog licence when owners of other pets are made equally responsible for their pets.

We have licenses here in NI- it doesn’t make a difference. There’s no teeth to enforce anything with. No interest from the powers that be, or the people for that matter in properly orchestrating it.

Definitely needs to be more control - there are so many terrible dog owners out there. Who either don’t care / or genuinely don’t understand how much work it is to look after a dog properly. Dog next to us left in garden all day yapping - never gets taken out for a walk

@mumof2exhausted

Definitely needs to be more control - there are so many terrible dog owners out there. Who either don’t care / or genuinely don’t understand how much work it is to look after a dog properly. Dog next to us left in garden all day yapping - never gets taken out for a walk

But the shit owners just won't get a license and it will drive illegal puppy farms etc. even further underground. Like a PP said - in Ireland you need a license and it makes no difference.

More enforcement would be better but I don't think the blanket enforcement of a license is the answer.

Absolutely not because a certain section of the population will comply and the others, the ones who have their dogs off lead when they shouldnt, dont pick up after them etc will still not adhere to any type of lisence

In N. I. where I live we have dog licences. I have one for mine, but lots don't. No checks are made. I went to the council and bought mine when I got my dog . Because she is neutered it costs little. We do have a local dog warden, who is employed by the council and deals with any strays or problems. Before covid that was only the hours the council offices worked. It is useful, but could be tighter. I would happily pay £100 for a license providing everyone did. As it is it depends on breed of dog, sex, neutered ,age and other.
There does need to be something.

It's been batted back and forth with the government working group on dogs/dog ownership for YEARS.

Originally, dog licences were to ensure every dog had a responsible owner who could be traced.

It cost more to police the scheme than it brought in, and so it was scrapped.

Currently, I don't think theres any serious interest in dog licencing from the government - we had the microchipping made mandatory... with the idea this would help identify dogs owners.

It doesn't work - those responsible for out of control dogs don't have them chipped, chips are cut out, and theres no requirement for all the chip details to be held on one single central database, meaning if you scan with one kind of scanner, you'll get some details, another kind you may also get details as to whether the dog has been reported missing/stolen...

And as none of this is joined up, should a vet scan a dog that flags up as stolen/missing, it isn't their job to report this, and if they do, the police haven't the resources to do so either.

For those whose dogs are actually caught, owner absent, being dangerously out of control in a public place, all the owner needs to do is claim they sold the dog last week/yesterday/this morning and therefore it isn't their dog, not their responsibility.

Personally, I'd rather HUMANS were licenced to own a dog (as they are to drive a car), based on passing a basic ownership test that demonstrates they are aware of their legal responsibilities wrt animal welfare, training, etc...

This would cost money, the government do not want to spend, therefore it won't happen any time soon.

@cologne4711

Dogs aren’t “a hobby”. They’re part of the family

They are absolutely are a hobby - and an expensive one.

They’re only a hobby to someone who doesn’t like them. Ours most definitely isn’t.

Yanbu

Having a dog is a luxury not a right. You should have to prove you can look after it.

Would stop charities like the RSPCA having to spend money taking people to court to get them banned when they could use it for other purposes too.

To be clear, what I’m in favour of is the person being licensed to own dogs, like you are licensed to drive cars, not for individual dogs.