Target reckless breeders, say Dorset dog lovers (From Bournemouth Echo)

Target reckless breeders, say Dorset dog lovers

7:00pm Tuesday 9th March 2010 in

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PROPOSALS forcing dog owners to insure their pets are barking up the wrong tree.

That’s the claim of dog experts and owners after the government yesterday laid out plans for compulsory dog insurance.

Rather than tax many responsible owners, critics insist the focus of any new legislation should be unscrupulous breeders.

Dave Dowson watched as his fiancée’s Border Terrier was savaged to death by two boxer-type dogs in Poole earlier this year.

He believes insurance would have been little comfort in his situation.

“A few hundred pounds is not going to replace our dog,” said Mr Dowson.

“People breeding dangerous dogs underground aren’t the type of people who are going to worry about insurance.

“Then you’ve got working class families like me and my fiancée who can’t afford another bill to pay.”

More than 100 people are admitted to hospital after dog attacks each week.

It is the rise of ‘status’ dogs, often used for fighting by gangs, that is an escalating problem.

And it is the cross-breeding of dogs like pitbulls and Staffordshire Bull Terriers that needs to be stopped, said Sheila Meredith, from Ferndown dog rescue Waggy Tails.

“That is the crux of the problem,” she said.

“These dangerous dogs can be bred and sold by anyone.

“There is legislation about breeding but it is not being properly enforced.”

Mrs Meredith said in many countries dogs were routinely neutered at a young age.

She also feared a mass abandoning of pets by owners who could simply not afford to insure their pet.

“You are going to see lots of dogs simply turned out on to the streets,” she said.

“We are at the sharp end and already receive 10-15 calls a day from people who can’t look after their dog.”