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Restrict the use of disclaimers by police to relinquish ownership of dogs

Submitted by Liz Bull on Tuesday 3rd October 2023

Published on Friday 3rd November 2023

Current status: Open

Open until: Friday 3rd May 2024

Current Signatures: 953
(count is updated approximately hourly)

Relevant Departments

Petition Action

Restrict the use of disclaimers by police to relinquish ownership of dogs

Petition Details

Currently police can seize dogs under section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) and can then ask the owners to relinquish ownership by agreeing to sign a disclaimer. We want police not to be allowed to use these disclaimers until a dog has been assessed for type.

Additional Information

Many dogs are seized under section 1 of the DDA on the reporting from a member of the public for looks alone. They aren’t banned breeds at this point, they are suspected. An owner may not be present and disclaimers could be signed by another household member or in panic by the owner not aware of their legal rights.

Once a disclaimer has been signed the dog can be euthanised without the opportunity for the owner to appeal. This risks Dogs not of a banned type being destroyed. Disclaimers should not be used at the point of seizing, but only after the dog has been assessed for type.


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18.191.102.112 Fri, 03 May 2024 21:47:15 +0100