A Plaid Cymru MS has urged the Welsh Government to take further steps to encourage responsible dog ownership and protect citizens.
Peredur Owen Griffiths was speaking during questions to the Labour Rural Affairs Cabinet Secretary about an issue that has had fatal consequences in his region.
In Penyrheol – part of Peredur’s region – there have been two separate fatal dog attacks which resulted in the deaths of 10-year-old Jack Lis in 2021 and Shirley Patrick, who was 83, in 2022.
In the Senedd, Peredur said: “Minister, the issue of dangerous dogs has been something I have constantly raised in this Chamber. In recent years my region has suffered some appalling tragedies in connection with irresponsible dog ownership that has led to fatalities and jail time for offenders.
“I was hopeful that the Government could introduce legislation in this Senedd that would compel responsible dog ownership, and I have previously outlined how that could happen within existing powers.
“With a packed legislative programme and the next Senedd election fast approaching, it looks like that ship may have sailed.”
He added: “In light of that, the next best thing a Government could do is run a targeted awareness campaign within the next 15 months, with support from organisations such as the RSPCA, who have long called for such action to promote responsible dog ownership across the country.
“This could have a big impact on increasing community safety, which should be a priority, along with protecting and improving animal welfare.
“It would also go some way to ensuring that there is a consistent approach and set of outcomes throughout the country because, at present, it seems there are pockets of good practice but they're not uniform.
“Could you please give me an idea of what you're planning to do?”
In response, Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said: “There is much that we're doing”, adding that “we need to sing that out louder and then make sure that this good practice is replicated right across the whole of Wales.”
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