Cllr Mike Steptoe has a role with a very long title “Portfolio holder for Environment, including Parks, Open Spaces and Woodlands, Recycling, Street Scene and the new Contracts “. That gives him a lot to deal with, including, it seems, dangerous dogs.
Because he’s now made one of those ‘executive decisions’ that cabinet members io Rochford DC can make – though this seems to be a reasonable decision.
It’s to do with dangerous dogs, and you can find it here. The government are consulting on whether the current Dangerous Dogs Act is strong enough.
The council officers don’t think the current act is having the right effect. They write:
2.1
Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environments Act 2005, from 6th April
2008, Rochford District Council has had sole responsibility for providing a
stray dog service to the public in the Rochford District. It is evident that some
of the dogs dealt with by the Council?s contracted stray dog warden under this
service may be classed as dangerous, either by their breed type or by their
behaviour and/or temperament.
2.2
Despite Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 banning the ownership of
four specific types of dogs, the numbers of people being found guilty of
owning such dogs, has actually increased in recent years. Nationally, there
appears to be an increase in the number of people owning ?status? dogs.
2.3
Due to the number of dangerous dog incidents being reported in the media
involving bull breeds, it is increasingly difficult for animal welfare charities and
dog shelters, including our own stray dog contractor, to re-home some of the
legal breeds, such as Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
Cllr Steptoe is in agreement with the officers, so his decision is:
DECISION MADE
1.1
That Rochford District Council respond to the consultation currently being
carried out by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the
basis that the Dangerous Dogs Act does not adequately address the issues.
1.2
In particular it is considered that the Act should be extended to cover incidents
on private property; that the breed-specific legislation should be amended and
a requirement for all dogs to be micro chipped should be introduced.
It’s possible for this decision to be called in to full council if three councillors request this within five working days, but that doesn’t seem likely.