Agenda item

The Board received a presentation from PC Lennox, Cheshire Police on dangerous dogs and the law.  The Board was advised that Halton was one of the biggest hotspot in the county in relation to dangerous dogs. The presentation:-

 

•              Highlighted that there were over 200,000 reported dog bites per year which cost the NHS £3,000,000; 50% of attacks involved children under 12yrs; 70% of fatalities occurred in children under 10yrs; 92% of attacks were by male dogs 94% of which were unneutered; the number of people taken to hospital following a dog bite had almost doubled in a decade and there were 3-5 incidents per day reported in Cheshire;

 

•              Outlined fatal dog attacks by breed – 1982-2013 listing with more than 10 deaths occurring;

 

•              Set out Section 1 of the Dangerous Dog Act 1991;

 

•              Detailed some of the prohibited breeds in the UK;

 

•              Set out the Dangerous Dogs Amendment Act 1997; Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and the new sentencing;

 

•              Highlighted newspaper coverage of the fatalities;

 

•              Highlighted the categories of individuals who were the highest risk of being bitten and explained the law relating to seizure;

 

•              Showed graphic images of dog bites; and

 

•              Outlined the Dogs Act 1871 and detailed the Community Protection Notice.

 

The following comments arose from the presentation:-

 

·             The Board noted that in respect of the Community Protection Notice (CPN), dog owners would be given a realistic time in relation to the offence to rectify the situation.  This timescale varied according to the offence;

 

·             The importance of Halton residents being aware of the situation in respect of dangerous and illegal dogs in Halton was noted and it was suggested that information on this matter be presented to schools and Colleges in the area.  In response, PC Lennox reported that due to lack of resources this would be very difficult at the current time.  However, it was highlighted that parents would also benefit from awareness training and the Expect Programme delivered some aspect of the issue to schools;

 

·       Concern was raised that there was only one reading device for dog microchips used by Cheshire police which is used to enable a clearer impression to be given on the status of dogs found to be causing nuisance and complaints;

 

·             Clarity was sought on whether Housing Associations took account of the issue with housing tenants.  In response, it was reported that Housing Associations gave permission for tenants to have a dog unless it was a prohibited breed.  The Board noted that more work could be done with Housing Associations to address this issue i.e. via conditions in individual tenancy agreements;

 

·             It was noted that the Borough had previously encountered incidents of dangerous dogs being kept and trafficked through Cheshire for dog fighting elsewhere. The Board also noted with some concern that children were most significantly the victims of dangerous dogs attacks;

 

·             The Board noted the challenges Cheshire Police faced in respect of illegal dogs and the ways in which individuals could get round the legislation governing this matter.  It was also noted that 4/5 cases a month in Halton were referred to the court and on average 3-5 incidents a day were reported in Cheshire.

 

The Members discussed the seriousness and severity of the situation in Halton and that there was no budget available to deal with this matter.  The Members also noted that other organisations such as Housing Organisations also had the potential to influence this issue through tenancy agreements.  In light of this, the Board agreed that the Chairman raise with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) the potential to focus on this issue in Halton and Cheshire.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)        the contents of the presentation and comments raised be noted;

 

(2)        the Board expressed concerns at the severity and frequency of incidents in Halton and Cheshire and agreed that the Chairman raise with the PCC the potential for more focus on addressing this issue; and

 

(3)        PC Lennox be thanked for his informative presentation.