An introduction

[Liam2020]

Hello everyone, my name is Liam. I don't have a dog, although I am a pet owner.

I joined dogforum.co.uk so that I could tell you all about a petition I have started. It's not specifically about dogs, however, dogs are included. I would like to tell you what it's about though....I am calling for a mandatory criminal record check (like an enhanced style DBS)to be carried out in the UK for everyone who wants to buy, breed or adopt an animal, be it domestic or farm. I would like it to include online sales as well.

I realise I am currently unable to post a link for you all to the petition, until I've posted 10 times to the group.

 

[Dibbythedog]

It sounds a good idea in theory.

 

[JudyN]

Though I applaud this in spirit, I have serious concerns about infringement of privacy and civil liberties. Not all criminal records mean that you are a bad person and shouldn't own animals - you may just have done something stupid in the past which you now regret. How much information would the seller get about your background? Even if they are just told that you have a criminal record, they may use their imagination and, if local, spread gossip.

I suspect that some of the most loving, caring pet owners have dodgy pasts, and their pets may be the most important parts of the lives that they have pieced back together.

 

[JoanneF]

And how would it be funded?

I'd rather see more serious consequences for animal neglect or cruelty.

 

[JudyN]

I'd rather see more serious consequences for animal neglect or cruelty.

Yes - if there was a separate register for that sort of crime, I don't see a problem. It would also show if someone had a specific ban from owning animals.

 

[Flobo]

Yes I agree, if a background check could be done specifically designed to flag up any past animal cruelty or neglect, either in bans, fines or suspended sentencing, then yes brilliant, it should be so..
I would have included actual sentencing, but sadly this is a rare outcome when it comes to animal cruelty.

 

[Liam2020]

And how would it be funded?

I'd rather see more serious consequences for animal neglect or cruelty.

We could either have a separate register set up, which, or by having an enhanced DBS check carried out. I think the fee to have an enhanced DBS done is something like £60 pp. Then, once you have your DBS, you can keep it up-to-date by paying £13 annually online. I understand there may be concerns around privacy with a DBS check because it would show other criminal activity in the past, which could be a crime that is nothing to do with violence such as petty theft. If DBS style welfare checks can't be done for this reason, then I would love to see a brand new register created for this very purpose.

"I'd rather see more serious consequences for animal neglect or cruelty" ......So would I JoanneF, however, sentences for animal abuse are an absolute joke. Up until very recently, the maximum prison sentence for the most serious cases of animal abuse was 6 months in the UK. It's now up to 5 years. Even 5 years isn't long enough in my opinion. If you kill, regardless of whether it's a human or an animal life, should it really be 5 years for taking a life?!

 

[Liam2020]

Though I applaud this in spirit, I have serious concerns about infringement of privacy and civil liberties. Not all criminal records mean that you are a bad person and shouldn't own animals - you may just have done something stupid in the past which you now regret. How much information would the seller get about your background? Even if they are just told that you have a criminal record, they may use their imagination and, if local, spread gossip.

I suspect that some of the most loving, caring pet owners have dodgy pasts, and their pets may be the most important parts of the lives that they have pieced back together.

JudyN

We could either have a separate register set up for this very purpose, or by having an enhanced DBS check carried out. I think the fee to have an enhanced DBS done is something like £60 pp. Then, once you have your DBS, you can keep it up-to-date by paying £13 annually online. I understand there may be concerns around privacy with a DBS check because it would show other criminal activity in the past, which could be a crime that is nothing to do with violence such as petty theft. But i think there would plenty of law abiding citizens that wouldn't mind this being done if it has the potential to stop a lot of abuse, even deaths. I guess I would have to create a survey on that issue for the public to be able to give their feedback.