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Police expert says 'awareness courses' should be mandatory for dog owners

The experts also revealed a growing number of dog attacks have been by breeds that are not on the banned list.

If you can't handle your dog, then you should be forced to take 'awareness courses', according to a police expert.

The Daily Mail reported on Wednesday Deputy Chief Constable Gareth Pritchard told MPs in the UK, those who don't complete the course will face tougher penalties.

DCC Pritchard also revealed that most dog attacks in the past few years have occurred by breeds that are not on the banned list. He proposes a change in the current legislation.

Chairman of the environment, food and rural affairs committee, Tory Neil Parish, compared the proposed courses to speed awareness courses. "If you're doing 110mph down the motorway you’re not going to go on a speed awareness course, you’re going to have your licence taken away," he is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. Adding, "If you're doing 32-33mph in a 30 limit, you’ll probably be offered a speed awareness course."

DCC Pritchard further went on to explain these courses should be enforced because people need to be held accountable for their actions. "Owning a dog is a privilege and you have to have the skills and therefore I think you have to pay to acquire those skills," he said.

( Source : deccan chronicle )
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