Dog Asbos will hold owners to account

Published on Saturday 26 February 2011 12:42

NEW "pet Asbos" designed to hold to account owners of dangerous dogs came into force across Scotland yesterday.

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, owners can also be fined up to 1,000 if they fail to control their pets.

The law updates previous legislation said to discriminate against named breeds. It also closes a loophole that meant the owner of a dog that attacked a child in its home could not be held responsible if the breed was not listed as dangerous.

Owners who do not control their dogs could also be forced to have them neutered, forced to keep them on a leash at all times or be sent to training courses under the terms of an antisocial behaviour order (Asbo).

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said the law would "help encourage dog owners to take responsibility for the actions of their dogs".

The legislation was welcomed by The Dogs Trust. Clarissa Baldwin, the charity's chief executive, said: "This places a legislative focus on the deed, rather than the breed of dog, and will rightly hold irresponsible dog owners to account.

"Scotland is leading the way on this issue but more needs to be done across the rest of the UK."

The act was first proposed in the Scottish Parliament by Nationalist MSP Christine Grahame.

She said: "This bill gives local authorities and the police the legislative tools to deal with the growing problem of out-of-control dogs."