Second Holyrood debate on Clyde News campaign to take place

MSPs will debate our Lead the Way campaign for a second time this afternoon, as they look at accepting recommendations from a Holyrood committee to tighten the country's dog control laws.

The Scottish Government's previously been accused of a 'lack of leadership', 'complacency', and 'washing their hands' of the issue but, last week they announced a consultation into possible changes.

The Minister for Community Safety Ash Denham's launching the consultation following pressure from our campaign.

We uncovered figures which show thousands of kids are being attacked and left with life changing injuries in Scotland every year.

There has only been 42 convictions under current laws in the last 8 years despite the introduction of the legislation in 2010.

The debate follows a report published last month by the Public Audit and Post-Legislative Review Committee.

They are urging the Scottish Government to take immediate action including introducing a centralised system to keep track of animals who have been handed dog control notices.

The recommendations are:

• The immediate establishment of a ‘Scottish Dog Control Database’ to improve the effectiveness of the Act.

• GPs, hospitals, local authorities and Police Scotland to be required to record and collect consistent data on reported incidences.

• Local authorities to use their by-law powers to create secure play areas for children within parks from which dogs are banned.

• An immediate and overdue awareness campaign of the 2010 Act to educate the wider population of how it can be used.

Committee Convener Jenny Marra said: "We've come to the conclusion that the dog laws in Scotland are not fit for purpose. We've seen a great campaign from Radio Clyde - the Lead the Way campaign - to say there's dog attacks happening all across Scotland. We're just into the summer holidays and we know there were 5,000 attacks last year and many of these happen during the holidays.

"The Lead the Way campaign has been excellent and you brought to our commitee people who've been deeply affected by dog attacks and it is one of the most powerful and emotional meetings we've ever had.

"The Scottish Government were supposed to bring in a dog database in 2010 and they never bothered, we're telling them now they need to do that immediately. We think the laws in Scotland are just not adequate at all and we're calling on the Scottish Government to have a wholesale review.

"I hope that publishing this report today that the Government will be looking at this over the summer and will do a lot of work on this so we can start getting this right for families as soon as possible."

We've been campaigning for change along with families like Ryan Booth's.

He was mauled in Bishopton when he was just six years old - now 10, he is delighted at the news and said: "I am just really happy that this is happening. After my attack I had a big anxiety. I knew everything was ok but it just felt like I couldn't go outside again but if they change the law that will make things far better."

His mum, Claire, witnessed the attack and battled PTSD in the aftermath. She said: "I am very emotional, extremely happy and ecstatic that they've listened to us and are coming out and saying the laws are not fit for purpose. I didn't think they would be as extreme as that.

"I hope it makes a big change and no one has to go through what Ryan has went through and what we've went through. If it makes a difference we'll both be really happy and proud of that."

SNP MSP Alex Neil, who first introduced the act as a Members Bill, said: "We want the Scottish Government to give a commitment to take urgent action where it's needed to do what we can as quickly as possible. A good example of that is creating the national database, which should have been created a long time ago, to track dangerous dogs when they move from one area to another.

"All of this legislation is now well out of date and has to be brought up to date but to do that we need some independent inquiry into all of dogs legislation so we make it fit for purpose in the 21st century.

"One of the things that can be done quickly is to say to the police to tell officers what powers they have to deal with dangerous dogs. We know from the inquiry that currently doesn't happened.

"We cannot go on the way we are going. This is a major problem. We need to take action and we need to take it as fast as possible."

A Holyrood committee has already looked into the issue and declared a 'national crisis', forcing the Scottish Government to take action.

Minister for Community Safety Ash Denham said: “We are holding two reviews into dog control legislation because we are absolutely determined to help keep communities safe from irresponsible owners and their out of control dogs.

“This consultation seeks views on improvements on how the Control of Dogs Act 2010 can operate across Scotland and next year we will take a wider look at all dog control legislation to assess whether changes are needed.

“Owning a dog brings with it certain responsibilities, including keeping your dog under effective control, and I encourage everyone with an interest in this area to respond to our consultation."

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