Kent Couple’s Fight to Change UK Dog Laws

This week a petition to overhaul the British dog laws went live, receiving hundreds of hits from across the globe within the first 24 hours. David and Heidi Anderson of Kent Animal Rescue, Chancepixies, have drafted a detailed legislation proposal that they believe will eradicate Britain’s stray dog problem within 10 years. Their ‘Fit for Breeding’ legislation will regulate all breeders, from champion kennels to suburban kitchen floors, and enforce a long-term level of care and responsibility. “There is legislation already in place to control farm animals and fishing and to prevent you dumping your fridge or your car, so why not dogs?” says Heidi, “Dogs, unlike children, do not grow up and become responsible for themselves. If you choose to bring puppies into the world, you must retain some responsibility throughout that dog’s life.” The legislation would comprise of three key elements; responsibility beyond the point of sale, identification measures and health and character tests.

Currently anyone who owns a dog can breed from it without taking any responsibility for their actions. The Andersons are also breeders of champion Dobermanns and believe that all breeders should be rescuers, “if you won’t rescue, don’t breed.” Heidi says it is not a case of rescue versus breeder, it all comes down to responsible breeding, “it would be good to get people to realise that there is a big difference between responsible breeders and irresponsible breeders. A responsible breeder should always take back a puppy, for whatever reason, throughout that dog’s life and always be there for help and support if needed. If every breeder was responsible there would be no dogs in rescue. The dogs in rescue can only be from irresponsible breeders and puppy farms.”

They believe the public backs a real change to the present situation and they are prepared to fight until it is achieved, “This change in legislation is needed to introduce a sensible solution. Thousands of people are admitted to hospital each year with dog-related injuries, millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money is being spent every year on stray dogs and thousands of dogs are sitting alone, unwanted and abandoned.” Heidi explains that they believe the issue of weapon dogs can also be addressed through their proposed legislation, “it will uncover the falsification of pedigrees that allows banned breeds to be re-introduced into the UK and the use of dogs for fighting and as weapons for the intimidation of the public, this can all change if the breeding of dogs is controlled.”

The Andersons are hoping to collect 10,000 signatures before they send the proposal to Prime Minister, David Cameron.
Readers can find the petition at this link http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/control-uk-dog-breeding-now/