The owners of dangerous dogs which harm others in a public place face tougher punishment under new guidelines.
The owners of dangerous dogs which harm others in a public place face tougher punishment under new guidelines.
Changes made to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 mean a constable or council officer now have powers to seize a dangerously out of control dog in a private place.
The Recorder revealed in March that Newham has the second-largest kennels in London after Battersea and there is an increasing number of pitbulls, which are illegal in the UK, being seized.
A spokesperson for Newham Council said: “We take animal welfare very seriously and have a robust approach to enforcement. The council works hard to protect the public from dangerous dogs responding to all calls it receives.
“Residents who have concerns about a dog can contact the animal welfare team who will investigate further and take action if necessary.”
The council has spent more than a quarter of a million pounds in the past year to house dangerous and unwanted pets, including 221 strays.
Read more:Exclusive: Newham’s dangerous dogs used as weapons
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