POLITICIANS are pressing ahead with changes to the Island’s dogs law – despite warnings that the proposals could unintentionally criminalise children as young as ten.
The Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Panel yesterday confirmed it will not withdraw its amendment in light of concerns raised by the Children’s Commissioner.
The amendment would see any dog not on a lead, or within five metres from the owner or person in charge and on agricultural land containing livestock, deemed to be “worrying livestock”. The owner or person in charge would have therefore committed an offence.
Dr Carmel Corrigan warned that this could apply to 16- and 17-year-olds who own dogs, and potentially even younger children who are deemed to be “in charge” of one.
She therefore urged politicians to delay the plans and carry out a full assessment of the impact on children’s rights, warning of “negative impacts” on young people.
But Environment, Housing and Infrastructure panel chair Deputy Hilary Jeune confirmed her scrutiny panel had “decided to proceed with lodging its amendment for debate” despite those concerns.
In a letter, she thanked the Children’s Commissioner’s office for its “careful assessment… particularly in relation to the potential implications for children and young people”, but pointed to time pressures within the legislative process.
“The timing presented practical constraints… in terms of withdrawing and re-lodging the proposition at this stage,” wrote Deputy Jeune.
Instead, her panel promised to present a full Children’s Rights Impact Assessment alongside the debate, insisting it is “important to proceed while still ensuring that the Assembly is provided with a full and transparent assessment”.
The panel also conceded that wider issues around “definitions of ownership and responsibility” in the dogs law may need revisiting in future.
