«Forename» «Surname» MP                                                                                  1^st September 2002

Member of Parliament for «Constituency»

House of Commons
Westminster

SW1P 0A17

IT’S TIME TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC

 

Dear «Dear»

You will doubtless be aware of the recent increase in media coverage of dog attacks on children, similar in many respects to that experienced in the months leading up to the introduction of the Dangerous Dogs Act in 1991. Current policies are achieving very little to prevent further attacks.

Unfortunately, much of the media appears to again be pursuing the simplistic route of castigating the “breed” involved in each incident rather than trying to understand and deal with the real cause of such attacks. There is an increasing danger that the current Government and parliamentarians will be similarly drawn into a response which has surely now been shown to be ineffective in protecting the public and particularly children.

I enclose the text of an article published in current edition of The Kennel Gazette, official magazine of the Kennel Club. I urge you to consider the subject which is genuinely intended to begin a debate based on the scientific evidence from veterinary and university studies across the world which consistently show that there are causes of severe dog attacks which are far more relevant than merely the breed involved.

Although not responsible for any of the recent attacks that have in the media, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and its cousin the Bull Terrier have once again been pilloried by certain sections of the press. Indeed the BBC news web site linked directly to my own site (www.staffords.co.uk/kcliaison) as part of reporting the attack on Leah Preston in Wolverhampton by cross breeds of unknown origin.

I also enclose a leaflet recently published by Battersea Dogs Home to ensure that members of the public purchasing rescue Staffords have a proper understanding of this popular pet breed and their responsibilities as owners. This contains much of the simple advice and information vital to enable a new owner to understand their pet and the way to enjoy its company safely in a crowded world.

I urge you to consider the evidence presented here and join with other MPs and MEPs to initiate a campaign to provide real protection for the public. The Home Office should instigate a debate about the danger posed by irresponsible dog ownership, consult widely with scientists, veterinarians and dog experts and create and then implement new laws based on the behaviour expected of dog breeders and owners to really protect the public.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

David B Levy

(Kennel Club liaison officer for Staffordshire Bull Terriers)

 

Heaven goes by favour. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in - Mark Twain