News from Westminster Labour

Westminster Labour welcomes dog micro-chipping plan

Strong support for classes that teach responsible dog ownership.

Labour Councillors have welcomed the Government’s plans to toughen laws on dangerous dogs, in response to fears that animals are being used to ‘intimidate communities’. The proposed measures include extending dangerous dogs laws to cover private property, introducing compulsory micro chipping for all dogs, and giving police and councils more power to address the issue.

The Government initiative comes in a week when two dog socialising classes, to encourage responsible dog ownership, have started every week at:

* Tamplin Mews W9 (Harrow Road Ward) from 11.30am – 13.00pm;

* Westbourne Green W2 (Westbourne Ward) from 14.30pm – 16.00pm.

In these classes Dog Control Orders are explained and discussed, owners are taught how to walk their dog on lead and to socialise their dog with other dogs, not to jump up at members of the public and how to control excessive barking. Poop Bags are given out at every lesson and the importance of picking up after your dog explained.

Already Members of the Queens Park community are seeing more dogs on leads in public places and cleaner streets. For more information contact Crissie Chambers on 07949 523 710 or email her at canineculture@googlemail.com

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group, said:

“The vast majority of dog owners are responsible, but there is no doubt that some people breed and keep dogs for the sole purpose of intimidating others, using dogs as a weapon. Residents in Churchill Gardens, Queen’s Park and Westbourne have told us of their concerns over recent months and the Government’s compulsory micro-chipping initiative for dogs should bring long-awaited relief to many Westminster residents.

“The Dog Socialising Classes have been a great success and Crissie Chambers is to be congratulated on extending her classes with the Help of the Queen’s Park, Westbourne and Harrow Road Ward Budgets. We are very pleased to be supporting this positive approach to responsible dog ownership.”

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