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Minister aims to define what a 'dangerous dog' is for Jersey law

Minister aims to define what a 'dangerous dog' is for Jersey law

BBC News2 days ago
A minister who is aiming to define what a "dangerous dog" is as part of updates to Jersey's dog laws has said the process is taking longer than expected.The Dogs (Jersey) Law 1961 aims to regulate dog ownership, including licensing pets and requiring dogs to wear contact information when in public.Strict rules about owning XL bully dogs were introduced across the UK in March after a string of fatal attacks. Deputy Steve Luce, the environment minister, told a scrutiny panel that he did not want to see any incidents involving dangerous dogs while he was in charge.
"Every day that goes by I am increasingly concerned that something might happen," he said."We do have some animals which we would like to designate as dangerous dogs on this island."That number is not reducing. We have introduced some measures."
Chief vet at the JSPCA Susana Ramos said preventing the importation of dangerous dogs would be the first step.Mr Luce said Jersey saw an increase in pets 10 years ago when rescues were imported.There was a further increase during the pandemic.
Ms Ramos said the current law was "old and not fit for purpose anymore".She added: "The idea of the new law is to allow us to act."The law will give us a little substance to do better than we currently do."
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