Criminals will no longer be able to sport pitbulls and other dangerous dogs as a symbol of ‘badjohnism’ and prosperity. That’s because they will now have to get a certificate of good character from the police to own a dangerous dog, ranked in Class A in the Government’s Dangerous Dogs Bill passed in the House of Representatives yesterday with all the Opposition’s votes. People wanting to own a dangerous dog will have to get a Class A licence and a veterinary certificate.
Further, if any vet is planning to cheat the system and give out false certificates, the bill is one step ahead. A vet who gives out a certificate falsely can be fined $50,000. “That will keep away criminalism,” Attorney General Anand Ramlogan said in Parliament yesterday as he listed amendments to the Bill in consultation with the Opposition. And, if you are planning to intrude or unlawfully trespass onto someone’s property, forget it.
If the owner’s Class B dog, deemed a non-dangerous dog, attacks you, the owner will not be held liable. The legislation permits you to encourage your dog to be aggressive and to intimidate someone. “People want to protect life, limb and property,” Ramlogan said. “To criminalise that would undermine the intention of the owners.” However, if you think you can incite your dog to commit a crime, think again. This would be a criminal offence and will carry the required penalty, the AG warned.
It will also be a crime to chain your dog to the gate post and just leave him there, hardly feeding him or paying any attention to him. There’s a new clause in the bill that says every person who keeps a dangerous dog must provide him with adequate food, water, shelter, vet care and attention. Ramlogan appealed to people who are reportedly abandoning their dangerous dogs because of the Bill, to take them to the dog pounds. He said the Government is trying to increase the capacity of the pounds to accept more dogs.