There has been a lot of publicity about the law on pets in lets and proposals to make it harder for landlords to refuse permission.
However, we need to be careful that when doing this, we do not make it easier for people to keep dangerous dogs.
Bearing in mind that any dog can be dangerous in the right (or maybe the wrong) circumstances.
The rise in dog attacks
Incidents of dog bites and indeed, death from dog attacks are rising in the UK. A recent podcast in the Guardian looked at this and suggested that it could be down to
- An increase in the number of dogs being bought as pets during lockdown
- Unscrupulous dealers selling unsuitable and untrained dogs
- Dog owners being unaware of the need to properly train and care for their dogs
Dog attacks are a serious problem. For example, aggressive dogs can make life very difficult for people such as delivery drivers and postmen, who tend to be the ones bitten the most.
However, there has been a distressing increase in more serious attacks. For example on 10-year-old Jack Lis, who suffered fatal injuries after being dragged away by an XL Bully named Beast in Caerphilly, Wales, and a woman in her 70s who was killed by a dog in Warwickshire earlier this month.
The Mirror tells us that 15 Brits have been killed by dogs since the attack on Jack Lis, five involving children.
The Mirror Campaign
The Mirror is currently running a campaign for:
- An urgent review of the law with tougher penalties being considered.
- Proper enforcement of the current rules to stop the illegal and irresponsible breeding and selling of dogs, and
- A public information campaign to promote the importance of responsible dog ownership and the need for training.
Keir Starmer has promised to review the Dangerous Dogs Act if he becomes PM, but the current government seems unwilling to take any action just how.
The effect of liberalising pets in lets
The proposed changes to the law in the Renters Reform Bill aim to make it easier for tenants to keep pets – which will inevitably mean more dogs.
So should landlords should be given the power to insist on proper training for pets, particularly dogs, and the right to refuse consent if they reasonably consider that the dog could cause problems? For example, if there are young children living nearby and the dog is a known aggressive breed.
Pets can be good for people’s mental health, and many dogs are well-behaved and not a danger. However, sadly not all.
In view of the recent increase in dog attacks, maybe Parliament should first consider the Mirror’s proposals before making it even easier for people to keep pets. Pets who could, in some circumstances, cause serious injury or death.