Martin calls for change on dangerous dogs (Cheltenham Liberal Democrats)

Cheltenham Liberal Democrats <info@cheltlibdems.org.uk>

Martin calls for change on dangerous dogs

April 27, 2007 10:00 PM

Visiting Cheltenham Animal Shelter recently, local MP Martin Horwood was impressed by the care and professionalism he saw - but appalled to discover that staff were sometimes having to return the most dangerous dogs around to their owners.

'This has to be wrong', said Martin. 'If a dog can put someone in hospital because the Animal Shelter had to repeatedly give him back to the owner, then the law needs changing.' Martin saw a pitbull-type dog in the Shelter who was kept behind double locked wire fences and could only be handled by specially trained staff. 'Bennie' had already attacked three or four other dogs and humans as well. But if there was no prosecution and the owner claimed him back, staff had no power to stop the dog returning to areas where other dogs and children played.