Responsible Dog Ownership Review Makes Recommendations To Improve Dog Welfare In Wales

A review of responsible dog ownership in Wales submitted to the Welsh Government has outlined several recommendations to improve dog welfare. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In April 2015 Deputy Minister Rebecca Evans tasked RSPCA Cymru to undertake an independent review of responsible dog ownership in Wales. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A ‘Core Group’ involving the RSPCA, Dogs Trust, police and local authorities was subsequently set up, who over the course of several months were presented written and verbal evidence from a wide variety of stakeholders across Wales. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The independent review – which has now been received by the Deputy Minister – makes several recommendations to improve dog welfare in Wales. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

RSPCA assistant director external relations – Wales, Claire Lawson, said: “We were very pleased to be tasked to undertake this independent review on dog ownership in Wales and would like to thank the ‘Core Group’ for their expertise and all the stakeholders who provided evidence. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We are grateful to the Welsh Government for allowing us to engage with the sector and to recommend solutions. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“There are a number of complex recommendations and a lot more work is needed and is expected to happen to develop these recommendations.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dogs Trust Campaign Manager Siân Edwards, said: “It may surprise people to know the results of this review are not primarily about legislation but are focused on joint partnership working, developing interventions and raising public awareness. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We hope the recommendations made in the review will provide a valuable opportunity to build on the strong record we have in Wales in regards to enhancing dog welfare.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Alison Hughes, who represents Welsh Heads of Environmental Health, said: “Local communities across Wales are concerned about the effects of irresponsible dog ownership, and the recommendations made in this report, if taken forward, could help to tackle these issues by promoting responsible dog ownership.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

NPCC (National Police Chief’s Council) lead for dangerous dogs and companion animals DCC Gareth Pritchard said: “This independent review brings forward a shared vision, including both law enforcement and the third sector, that we hope will improve awareness of dog welfare throughout Wales. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The welfare of dogs and community safety issues are integral to resolving irresponsible dog ownership.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

To view the review please visit http://politicalanimal.wales/responsibledogownershipreview/ ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​