New campaign targets irresponsible dog owners
Owners are being reminded of the law on keeping pets under control
A social media campaign reminding dog owners of the consequences of not keeping their pets under contol is being launched by the Scottish Government and Scottish SPCA following the West FM Lead the Way campaign which exposed a rising number of attacks.
Minister for Community Safety, Ash Denham is reminding dog owners that they have a legal responsibility to ensure their dog is kept under proper control in order to prevent and reduce the risk of incidents.
Any dog, regardless of breed or size, can cause fear, apprehension, and alarm if its behaviour is out of control. Latest data from Public Health Scotland shows 875 people were admitted to hospital in Scotland in a one-year period after being injured by dogs.
The campaign urges people to report out of control dogs, in order to reduce the risk of incident and help prevent dogs becoming, dangerous and hurting others.
Minister for Community Safety Ash Denham said: “The Scottish Government is determined to help keep Scotland’s communities safe from irresponsible dog owners and their out-of-control pets.
“Some people have taken on new dogs, enjoying the company of pets, during the pandemic and our campaign reminds owners, old and new, that they are legally responsible for ensuring their dog is kept under proper control.
“Any dog attack is one too many and I urge anyone who sees a dog behaving in a potentially dangerous or out of control manner to report the matter to their local council for consideration and investigation. The law will be enforced when people report out of control dogs and it is the responsibility of all dog owners to help prevent their animals hurting others.”
A dog doesn’t have to bite a person or animal to be classed as out of control. It is out of control if it makes you feel apprehensive and alarm or fear it could cause harm. Sadly, in some cases dog aggression can lead to more serious incidents that can have a life changing impact.
Debbie's story
Debbie was injured after a serious dog attack and still suffers from PTSD and severe anxiety.
She said: “I was outside a friend’s garden gate. Her dog, which I knew from before, was barking and behaving in an aggressive and intimidating way, but the owner reassured me, so I came closer.
“Suddenly the dog attacked and dug its teeth into my upper thigh, clamping its jaws tightly, shaking its head and snarling. It was a big, strong dog and it was several minutes before we managed to release the dog’s hold and I could escape.
“After the attack I suffered from severe abscesses in my thigh. Eventually the injury healed, but I still live with the psychological effects of the attack. Even after therapy and counselling I struggle with PTSD, nightmares, and severe anxiety around dogs.
“What happened to me could have been prevented. It’s so important that owners take responsibility for their dogs’ behaviour, and that anyone who experiences or witnesses an attack reports it.”
Expert tips
Scottish SPCA chief superintendent, Mike Flynn said, “If your dog is behaving aggressively, and this is out of character, get them checked by your vet to ensure there isn’t an underlying issue causing the dog to act this way. If there is no health issue, consult an experienced behaviourist or trainer for advice.
“We’d always recommend keeping your dog on a lead if it has shown aggression to people or other animals. If your dog has previously shown aggression you could be subject to a dog control notice. However, even the most friendly dog can be frightening for people and other dogs. Make sure your dog has a strong recall command before letting it off lead and respect other people’s wishes if they don’t want your dog to approach them.
“Ensuring your dog is under control also prevents your dog from running away, becoming lost or attacking another animal. Make sure your dog is microchipped with up-to-date details and has a collar and nametag so that if it does become lost there’s a better chance you’ll be reunited with your pet quickly.
“Lastly, if you are buying a puppy, please make sure you buy from a responsible breeder either through our Scottish SPCA Assured Puppy Breeder Scheme or the Kennel Club. Puppies raised in low-welfare environments can have serious behavioural and health issues, which can result in their new owners having to pay costly bills for veterinary treatment.”