The BBC programme showed that the number of dog attacks and the number of seizures of banned breeds continues to rise, and believes that the problem lies in the ineffective Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 which makes certain breeds and types of dog illegal, such as the Pitbull Terrier, but fails to crack down on irresponsible owners.

Just an ego boost

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “The Dangerous Dogs Act has not reduced the number of dog attacks. It has simply made banned breeds and their lookalikes, such as Staffordshire Bull Terriers crosses, more appealing amongst those looking for a dog that will boost their ego.

“The Kennel Club was disappointed that the BBC X-Ray programme did not discuss the overwhelming evidence that whether a dog is dangerous or well behaved is down to the owner. The priority must be to crack down on irresponsible owners who fail to train, care for and socialise their dogs, rather than wasting already overstretched police resources seizing banned breeds and their lookalikes simply because they are of a certain type.”

Ongoing work

The Kennel Club is continuing to work with other animal welfare charities and  veterinary organisationsas part of the Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group, which  has given its support to Lord Redesdale’s Dog Control Bill, which is currently at committee stage in Parliament and focuses on ‘deed not breed’ and owner responsibility.

For more information about the Kennel Club’s lobbying campaigns and its work to get the dangerous dogs legislation, click here.