Victims of dangerous dogs have backed calls for a legal clampdown after new data showed a massive jump in reported attacks.
The Daily Record has uncovered a 45 per cent leap in Dog Control Notices issued during lockdown, sparked by attacks on humans and other dogs.
Staffies and German shepherds were the most complained about breeds in the data, revealed via Freedom of Information responses from 31 Scottish local authorities.
The shock figures have sparked calls for urgent legal controls to be introduced to put more responsibility on dog owners in Scotland.
Sylvia Baillie, 66, who was savagely bitten in the face by a Japanese Akita, said she was not surprised to hear of the rise in cases.
She said: “I notice there are more dogs and I notice how many are not on leads or muzzled and that causes me a lot of stress. I believe there should be legislation to force those conditions on all owners who walk dogs in public.”
Sylvia still takes Valium for her nerves and is on sleeping pills after being set upon by a neighbour’s dog in 2016. She said: “There are too many dangerous breeds and too many dogs owned by people who should not have pets.”
Susan Jack, 55, told how she was forced to prise apart the jaws of two bull terriers as they savaged her cockapoo, Flora.
Susan, who works in criminal justice in Glasgow, feared her gentle, one-year-old dog would die and was shocked by the indifference from the terriers’ owner.
She said: “I would certainly be supportive of any measures that used DNA to register dogs and that encouraged higher levels of responsibility from owners.
“I also believe certain types should be muzzled and I don’t understand why owners would not agree to this.”
The research revealed 23,826 complaints about out-of-control dogs between January 2017 and November 2022 – an average of 335 per month or more than 10 a day across the country.
But the boom in pet ownership came at a big cost in 2022 – with 28 Scottish local authorities issuing 355 Dog Control Notices in an 11 month period – a 44.8 per cent rise from 2020.
Gaye Fisher, of Protect our Pets, claims the huge rise underlines an urgent need for a DNA register of dogs. She said: “Attributing the recent surge in attacks to lockdown fudges the issue; attacks have risen over decades
“The impact of these attacks – emotional, physical, psychological and financial – cannot be understated, and we want legislation to make attacks a criminal offence.
“This would include compulsory registration of all dogs, linked to one owner and underpinned by dog DNA registration, as well as compulsory third-party liability insurance.”
Fisher said breed-specific legislation debate is polarising but claims everyone agrees owners should be responsible for their dog’s actions.
She said: “This is only achievable by compulsory registration. Technology enables dog DNA registration through a one-off cheek swab, and, unlike microchips, DNA cannot be removed. DNA registration also enables identification of offending dogs after attacks on livestock. If people know they’ll be financially liable for their dog’s actions, they’ll be careful in their choice of dog.”
Dog loving MSP Christine Grahame claims a private bill she proposed last year should have an essential role in intervening before a dog becomes dangerous.
Her Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill, hopes to establish greater responsibility among those considering puppy or dog ownership. It would deter the unlicensed breeding, selling and giving away of dogs and is generated to deal with the explosion of poor welfare caused by illegal puppy farms and unscrupulous breeders.
Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: “It’s disappointing but not surprising to see a rise in Dog Control Notices being handed out.
“We have seen a rise in animals coming into our care with behavioural issues, which we suspect is due to a lot of people acquiring dogs during the pandemic and being unable to train or socialise them properly due to lockdown.
“We also believe many members of the public, especially newer owners, may not be aware that a dog does not have to attack a person or another animal to be classed as out of control by law.
“Your dog could be considered to be out of control if you allow them to stray, they do not come back when you call them, or their behaviour causes alarm or fear.
“Even the most friendly dog can be frightening for people and other animals. Make sure your dog has a strong recall command before letting them off the lead and respect other people’s wishes if they don’t want your dog to approach them.”
Flynn added: “The breakdown of breeds in the report doesn’t necessarily mean these types of dogs are more likely to be badly behaved or are harder to control.
“The breeds mentioned are some of the most popular breeds in general and ones we work with and rehome from our centres every day with no issues.”
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