A law passed in 2013 that required owners of dangerous breeds of dog to get the animal coached by a certified trainer, is unworkable and unenforcable.
The law states that owners of these animals must have the dog trained in socialisation and obedience, and the animals must not under any circumstances be trained to fight or to attack people, other animals or property.
This welcomed law was passed in 2013, and was published in the official gazette. Everything waqs going according to plan...
The problem was, and still is, that there are no certified training institutions as they need specific conditions under which to operate. These conditions will be in regulations which have not been published.
The 2013 law was designed to solve the problem of untrained ‘dangerous breed’ dogs but if the owners are unable to get the dogs trained as the government has not thought far enough ahead to set up a certification for trainers and training locations, all owners of dangerous breed dogs are breaking the law every day.
The owners of dangerous dogs that want to meet all the legal requirements need a license issued by the parish council. To get the license, the dog needs training which is not available.
Some experienced dog breeders, trainers and kennel owners say the law should be scrapped and the emphasis placed on the owner to control their dogs and hold them liable for any damage of harm caused.
If training is needed due to the dog's breed, then it is up to the owner to arrange a suitable course. Even though there are no registered courses available there are many courses run by experienced businesses often allied to kennels.
Until someone sorts out this muddle, the 2013 law was not worth the effort in drafting, debating and passing.
