Ulster Unionist MLA Andy Allen has called on the DAERA Minister at Stormont to formally review the deeply flawed and rudimentary breed-specific legislation, which can see dogs destroyed for no other reason than resembling a supposedly dangerous breed. 

Andy Allen said:

“Earlier this year the Ulster Unionist Party launched a new wide-ranging policy paper on the important issue of improving animal welfare in Northern Ireland. One of the main recommendations was that the current breed-specific legislation (BSL) within the Dangerous Dogs Order was rudimentary, unhelpful and counterproductive. 

“Through a series of Assembly Questions we were able to reveal that dozens of dogs are investigated each year, with over 240 animals being affected over the last 4 years.  

“By enforcing the current deeply flawed legislation, healthy and safe dogs such as Hank in East Belfast are unfairly and unjustifiably being placed at risk. Four dogs have been put to sleep over the last 4 years and BSL is clearly no longer fit for purpose.  

“A dog’s behaviour is far more likely to be the result of the way that it has been brought up or trained, rather than only its genetic makeup or physical shape. I firmly believe that responsible pet ownership is by far the best approach to protecting the public. This is not just the view of my Party, but that of most of our animal welfare experts and charities.

“Whilst I appreciate Belfast City Council are only investigating Hank because the law tells them they have to, I would urge them to show caution and common-sense and to meet with the dog’s owners as soon as possible to put some of their concerns to rest. In the meantime, I will be pressing the new DAERA Minister to review the BSL in order to come up with a new, but more effective, means of keeping the public safe from genuinely dangerous dogs.”