I was very pleased to visit Shaldon Wildlife Trust recently to hear about their work and also to understand some of their current concerns. Over half of the animals at the zoo are endangered species. I was especially impressed by their close work on conservation projects in Vietnam to rebuild populations of the endangered Owston’s Civet. This has included recently sending a male from Shaldon to Vietnam where it is hoped his offspring can be released into a protected area of the forest.
We discussed the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill which is currently making its way through Parliament. Overall, the ambitions of the Bill are very positive. When it comes to zoos, the Bill mandates a specific primate licence to ensure that primates are kept to a high welfare standard that reflects their specific welfare needs. The Bill also amends the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 to include increased penalties for non-compliance and provide local authorities with better tools for enforcement to ensure zoo operators comply with the Standards of Modern Zoo Practice.
However, as it currently stands, parts of the Bill could be challenging for zoos and aquaria to comply with. One issue is how dangerous animals are to be recategorised with those posing the greatest danger requiring a firearm to be kept on site. In some respects, this is important for safety, but the basis upon which the animals are now to be categorised doesn’t make sense. The categorisation would place the Capuchin Monkey in the same category as a Lion. For Shaldon Wildlife Trust, who keep the endangered Capuchin Monkey, this would mean purchasing a firearm and putting all of their staff through costly and time-consuming regular training with it. This could be prohibitive to keeping such endangered animals.
I will certainly be giving these concerns strong consideration when the Bill returns to the Commons for Report stage.
There are a number of other animal-related issues in the public consciousness at present. I have received several emails about the Breed Specific Legislation relating to dogs which bans the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero. This legislation means that some dogs which have been assessed as potentially dangerous cannot be kept as pets. Some banned dogs are therefore at risk of euthanasia. However, if a court decides that the owner is fit and proper and the dog presents no danger to public safety, the dog can be kept but under strict conditions, for example muzzled and on a lead in public.
I am aware that there have been examples of dog seizures by police that have been heavy handed and insensitive to the fact that these are living creatures, sometimes living in homes where they are very much loved and the legal restrictions not understood. We therefore need to see more training for officers carrying out these seizures so that they can identify where a slightly gentler approach is appropriate and the owner advised of the appeal process for an exemption.
In 2018, a Parliamentary Committee conducted a review into controlling dangerous dogs. The report made 16 recommendations to improve dog ownership and reduce dog attacks, and the Government has responded positively to these suggestions. The response includes a commitment to develop a plan of action to increase dog safety awareness among children. Other countries’ practices and legislation will also be studied, to consider what measures could usefully be adopted in the UK.
I recognise that any dog has the potential to become dangerous and owners are responsible for the behaviour of their dogs. That is why I support the Government’s efforts to promote responsible dog ownership. Compulsory microchipping has been introduced and the maximum penalty for those held responsible for a dog attack has been increased to 14 years’ imprisonment.
If you would like to book a surgery appointment or raise a specific issue, please call my office on 01626 368277 or email annemarie.morris.mp@parliament.uk.