Reducing dog bites and enhancing responsible dog ownership
RSPCA Cymru has long shared the concerns of elected officials and the wider public around the need to reduce dog bites and enhance responsible dog ownership. We therefore remain keen to work with all stakeholders towards establishing an effective approach that protects public safety and animal welfare.
In recent years, the need to tackle dog bites has become ever more important with an increased number of serious and fatal incidents and the continuing rise in the number of people seeking hospital treatment. In 2023, the UK Government took swift action following a series of fatalities involving dogs reported as American Bully XLs and added them to the list of prohibited types under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. This move was in stark contrast to the scientific evidence which routinely shows that targeting certain types of dogs fails to keep the public safe and has a detrimental impact on dog welfare. You can read more about this in our report below: Breed Specific Legislation: A Dog’s Dinner.
Despite dog bites becoming an increasing public health concern, minimal attention has been paid to dog control measures outside of the UK. To address this important gap, in 2022, the RSPCA commissioned research to explore alternative and diverse measures which could be considered for use in the UK.
This research, delivered by Associate Professor Jennifer Maher of the University of South Wales, which can be found below, has shown that there are many examples of good practice which could enhance the UK’s approach. However, reducing dog bites and increasing responsible dog ownership requires a holistic and multi-method approach where multiple agencies and stakeholders agree and work together. It also needs to be capable of responding to the many variables influencing dangerous dogs. This requires attitudinal, behavioural and cultural change as well as funding, to enable the implementation of systems that underpin, promote and support a new approach.
Using this research as its basis, the RSPCA’s report: “Taking the Lead: Alternative approaches to effective dog control in the UK”, is calling for the Welsh Government to make a clear commitment to focus on the fostering and development of communities where responsible dog ownership and engagement is emphasised. It provides the basis for these discussions and identifies key actions that can be taken to shift and enhance the approach to dog control in Wales as outlined below.