Scot Gov accused of 'complacency' over its responsibility to enforce dog control laws

The Scottish Government has been accused of complacency and washing their hands of the responsibility when it comes to controlling Scotland's dogs.

MSPs on Holyrood's Post-Legislative Scrutiny Committee were hearing evidence following our #LeadTheWay campaign, which revealed thousands of people are attacked every year.

MSP Anas Sarwar questioned Community Safety Minister Ash Denham, who was there on behalf of the Scottish Government.

He asked: "Do you think there's enough public awareness of their rights under the control of dogs act?"

Ms Denham said: "I think there a good awareness in general however, there are areas where perhaps people aren't quite clear because there is an over lap between the two acts."

Mr Sarwar asked: "Is that a yes or a no? Is there suitable public awareness about this legislation?"

Ms Denham said: "It is the same with any law that there will be people who don't know what the law is."

Mr Sarwar interrupted: "But everyone knows about the smoking ban?"

Ms Denham replied: "I don't think you could say that definitively."

Mr Sarwar continued: "Do you think there is adequate training for dog wardens?"

Ms Denham said: "That's obviously a matter for local authorities. In the act it does say that in every area there has to be one warden who does have suitable knowledge of the Control of Dogs Act but beyond that is a matter for local authorities."

Mr Sarwar pressed: "Can you understand for the families who've given evidence to this committee how frustrated and frankly, how angry and disappointed they will be at what sounds like a very complacent hands off, someone else's problem response from the Scottish Government?"

Ms Denham said: "I can understand that point."

Mr Sarwar shook his head and pushed himself away from the table saying: "That worries me even more."

Ms Denham revealed her office plans to launch a consultation into the creation of a national database to keep track of out-of-control dogs and says she takes the issue "very seriously".

MSPs were also told police officers do not all know about the dog control legislation introduced by Holyrood almost a decade ago.

Christine Grahame was the backbencher responsible for introducing it ten years ago.

While Ms Grahame described it as a “substantial piece of legislation'', she complained many people did not know it existed.

“Public knowledge of the legislation is a huge issue,'' the SNP MSP said.

She added: “Some police don't know about the Control of Dogs Act, again not their fault, we're back to publicity and information.

“They all know about not smoking in public places, they all know about minimum unit pricing. Why? Because it has been publicised.''

Ms Grahame told the committee: “This brings me to a bugbear of mine, that is a Member's Bill gets no publicity other than what the member will provide.

“So unless you pay it out of your own allowances, nobody gets to know about it.''

She called for the Scottish Government to do more to promote Members' Bills at Holyrood once they have been passed into law - describing this as a “huge issue for all Members' Bills''.

“There's publicity so that the neighbour or the person walking their child to school who sees this knows how to report it."

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