Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 06 May 2014
06 May 2014 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Responsible Dog Ownership
Like other members, I congratulate both Kenneth Gibson and the Dogs Trust on bringing the debate to the chamber. My contribution to the debate is, I hope, as a responsible dog owner, although Mr Q may sometimes question that when I want to take him out in all conditions regardless of the weather. My point is a serious one, because it is about responsible dog owners. I was privileged to go to the summit on responsible dog ownership, where the commitment of the Government was evident because two cabinet secretaries were there.
We have heard a lot about compulsory microchipping, which speaks for itself. It is the way to go and it should happen. When I was a member of the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee, I tried to get the issue into the work programme, although that was not possible because of other commitments. However, I have discussed it with the cabinet secretary many times and I believe that the consultation will prove to be extremely supportive of compulsory microchipping.
I agree with others who have said that microchipping will not solve the problem of dog attacks, but neither would muzzling, which I totally oppose. However, I am convinced that appropriate and responsible dog ownership can make a difference.
Malcolm Chisholm spoke about keeping dogs on a lead in public places. I would say that that is absolutely to be encouraged, certainly in built-up areas, where a dog should always be on a lead. I have some sympathy with Christine Grahame’s remarks about the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010, which was introduced as a member’s bill but is not enforced.
My understanding is that a dog should be on the lead when it is in an urban area, on pavements or elsewhere, but a lead also needs to be under control. Often, we see people using extending leads that allow their dog to be 20 feet or further in front of them, and they have no control over that dog. If people have dogs that they find difficult to control, they are encouraged by veterinary practices and by others to get appropriate training, and I support that. Using a Halti can offer appropriate training and provide some reassurance to members of the public, especially with dogs that jump up. The dog should be under control at all times.
Guide Dogs has always supported microchipping for its dogs, especially for those dogs that can sometimes go astray away from their owners when they are playing, and there have been occasions on which guide dogs have actually been stolen in public places. I support and fully endorse microchipping, but I do not support muzzling. As I have said, we should look at raising awareness in terms of responsible dog ownership. I think that all members would welcome that. I hope that the minister will take cognisance of Christine Grahame’s point that appropriate legislation already exists and that perhaps we should address the issue of its proper enforcement.
Dogs are territorial. As has been mentioned, when we as MSPs are out campaigning or when postmen are delivering mail, dogs are sometimes territorial and protect their patch. If that is the case and the dog owners are aware of it, the dogs should either be kept inside or should be on a restricting lead when outside. If they are not on a lead, there should be a notice advising people to be aware that a dog is present.
17:50
We have heard a lot about compulsory microchipping, which speaks for itself. It is the way to go and it should happen. When I was a member of the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee, I tried to get the issue into the work programme, although that was not possible because of other commitments. However, I have discussed it with the cabinet secretary many times and I believe that the consultation will prove to be extremely supportive of compulsory microchipping.
I agree with others who have said that microchipping will not solve the problem of dog attacks, but neither would muzzling, which I totally oppose. However, I am convinced that appropriate and responsible dog ownership can make a difference.
Malcolm Chisholm spoke about keeping dogs on a lead in public places. I would say that that is absolutely to be encouraged, certainly in built-up areas, where a dog should always be on a lead. I have some sympathy with Christine Grahame’s remarks about the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010, which was introduced as a member’s bill but is not enforced.
My understanding is that a dog should be on the lead when it is in an urban area, on pavements or elsewhere, but a lead also needs to be under control. Often, we see people using extending leads that allow their dog to be 20 feet or further in front of them, and they have no control over that dog. If people have dogs that they find difficult to control, they are encouraged by veterinary practices and by others to get appropriate training, and I support that. Using a Halti can offer appropriate training and provide some reassurance to members of the public, especially with dogs that jump up. The dog should be under control at all times.
Guide Dogs has always supported microchipping for its dogs, especially for those dogs that can sometimes go astray away from their owners when they are playing, and there have been occasions on which guide dogs have actually been stolen in public places. I support and fully endorse microchipping, but I do not support muzzling. As I have said, we should look at raising awareness in terms of responsible dog ownership. I think that all members would welcome that. I hope that the minister will take cognisance of Christine Grahame’s point that appropriate legislation already exists and that perhaps we should address the issue of its proper enforcement.
Dogs are territorial. As has been mentioned, when we as MSPs are out campaigning or when postmen are delivering mail, dogs are sometimes territorial and protect their patch. If that is the case and the dog owners are aware of it, the dogs should either be kept inside or should be on a restricting lead when outside. If they are not on a lead, there should be a notice advising people to be aware that a dog is present.
17:50
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
The final item of business is a debate on motion S4M-09752, in the name of Kenneth Gibson, on microchipping and muzzling. The debate will be concluded withou...
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
SNP
I thank the members who signed the motion and made this debate possible. I also thank Dogs Trust, the Kennel Club and OneKind Charity for their briefings and...
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I start by thanking Kenny Gibson for securing the debate. I thank Dogs Trust for all its work campaigning for compulsory microchipping in Scotland and across...
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, congratulate the member on securing the debate, which is a bit of a reprise of the debate that Claire Baker secured last September, in which I also t...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Mr Q has been giving your remarks his full attention. I now call Christine Grahame—sorry, Alex Fergusson, to be followed by Malcolm Chisholm.17:20
Alex Fergusson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
Christine Grahame once in the debate is quite enough, Presiding Officer.I join other members in congratulating Kenny Gibson and Dogs Trust on enabling the de...
Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (Lab)
Lab
I congratulate Kenny Gibson on securing the debate. I think that it is our third debate on dogs in the past few months—my colleagues Paul Martin and Claire B...
Christine Grahame
SNP
Will Malcolm Chisholm take an intervention?
Malcolm Chisholm
Lab
I do not think that I have time; I am in my last minute.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
You can take back the time.
Christine Grahame
SNP
I simply remind Malcolm Chisholm that bad though attacks in public areas are, most really bad attacks take place on private land and in homes, so leads would...
Malcolm Chisholm
Lab
We cannot solve all the problems with one measure, but if we could solve the problem in public places, it would certainly make the lives of many of my and, I...
Graeme Dey (Angus South) (SNP)
SNP
I begin by paying tribute to the Dogs Trust. All too often we MSPs are approached by organisations promoting an approach that they wish the Government to ado...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Due to the number of members who still wish to speak in the debate, I am minded to accept a motion without notice to extend the debate by up to 30 minutes.Mo...
Elaine Murray (Dumfriesshire) (Lab)
Lab
I congratulate Kenny Gibson on securing the debate. I had some concerns about the wording of the last part of his motion, which I will refer to later, but he...
Joan McAlpine (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, congratulate my colleague Kenny Gibson on securing the debate. I am also grateful for the briefings from the Dogs Trust and OneKind that have helped ...
Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (Ind)
Ind
I, too, welcome the debate and congratulate Kenneth Gibson on bringing it to the chamber.Last summer, I was invited to visit the Dogs Trust rehoming centre i...
Dennis Robertson (Aberdeenshire West) (SNP)
SNP
Like other members, I congratulate both Kenneth Gibson and the Dogs Trust on bringing the debate to the chamber. My contribution to the debate is, I hope, as...
Paul Martin (Glasgow Provan) (Lab)
Lab
Like others, I congratulate Kenny Gibson on his very thoughtful speech and on promoting the good work of the Dogs Trust. Indeed, I have visited my local Dogs...
The Minister for Environment and Climate Change (Paul Wheelhouse)
SNP
I thank my colleague Kenneth Gibson for lodging the motion for this evening’s debate and the other colleagues who have contributed so ably to it. It is proba...