Licencing for animal owners

Everyday we see on the News stories of animal neglect and ill management. There have been increasing numbers of dog attacks on people and other animals and there doesn't seem to be anything being done about it.

It is not controlling dog breeds which is the issue. A dog of ANY breed has the potential to attack and this is down the the breeders and the owners.

So many times you read in the papers that people keep big dogs in flats along with several children, they dont walk them sufficiently and then they wonder why the dog savages the child. And who is the one that looses out in this situation? The dog! The dog is man handled out of the premises and swiftly put down.

People are wondering around highly populated areas with dogs off their leads who at the first sign of a cat or a horse will bolt and bite anything they manage to catch. It is irresponsible and there seems to be nothing to stop this happening.

The rescue and rehoming centres are full to the brim of unwanted animals. People who have bought the cuddly kitten or hamster and when the novelty wears off or they get evicted from their flat, they no longer want. These animals are sometimes turfed out on the street and abandoned due to the fact that the rehoming centres cannot help.

It is now far too common to see posters for Staffofrdshire Bull Terrier puppies being born into inadequate and uncaring surroundings to make a quick buck. These dogs have also quickly become status symbols replacing the likes of the Pitt Bull Terrier. Something has to be done about this.

We do not have a strong animal policing organisation such as the USA and the RSPCA simply do not have the powers to be able to intervene. We need to see stronger regulations on animal owners and breeders. If you are responsible enough to own an animal you should be responsible enough to pay for your animal licence and proove you have the knowledge to care for that animal sufficiently.

There are tighter controls on owning a television set than a living creature! I strongly believe an animal licence scheme is the way forward. I believe a small fee and a written test should be the means in which to gain a licence. The test should include questions specific to the type of animal you wish to keep (small animal, reptile, dog/cat etc) and should include guidelines on vaccinations and worming. The licence should hold info about the owner and be updated with animal details each time you acquire a new pet.

The police should also be given more power to enforce these rules if a report is made. AN ANIMAL IS A LIVING CREATURE AND DESERVES AS MUCH PROTECTION AND RESPECT AS A HUMAN BEING.