CHANGES to the Dogs Law have been backed by the States Assembly, with politicians prioritising the need to protect Islanders – particularly children – from potential attacks ahead of perceived drawbacks in the legislation.
Members voted unanimously in favour of the new measures around the keeping of “dangerous” breeds such as the XL Bully, but only after a contentious sub-debate sparked by concerns from a Scrutiny panel.
Brought to the Chamber by the Constables Committee, the proposition was centred on a new requirement that XL Bully dogs and associated breeds must be registered, neutered, muzzled in public and subject to restrictions on breeding and selling.
Committee chair Mike Jackson said there was a need to bring Jersey in line with neighbouring jurisdictions, notably the UK and France.
The number of canine-related fatalities in the UK had risen from six in 2022 to 16 the following year, he said, with half of the 2023 figure made up by attacks from XL Bullies, while legislation in France had restricted some breeds, and banned others.
Mr Jackson said an estimated 30 dogs out of an Island-wide total of 10,000 were XL Bullies, and that there was an urgent need to bring in the ban on breeding in order curb the potential for this number to rise.
Environment Minister Steve Luce said he did not wish to go any longer without strengthening the law.
“Without safeguarding measures, the XL Bully-type dog represents a well-evidenced and escalating threat to public safety,” he said.
Deputy Hilary Jeune, chair of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, said she was concerned that consultation over the changes had been insufficiently robust and transparent, citing questions raised by the JSPCA and States of Jersey Police about how the law would be enforced.
Concerns were also raised over the capacity of the States Vet to administer the registration scheme, whether those owning dangerous breeds would require criminal background checks and what would be done to dogs that had been seized or were no longer wanted.
Deputy Jeune proposed a so-called reference back, which would have required the debate to be postponed until areas of concern were addressed. This sparked an hour-long discussion, with some Members expressing fears about the potential for an attack, while others criticised the Constables Committee – Deputy Montfort Tadier referred to the legislation’s similarity to the UK law as “a copy-and-paste job”.
Although she appealed to Members that she was “just doing my job in questioning a potentially weak law”, Deputy Jeune’s bid for the reference back was defeated by 22 votes to 19, meaning that the main debate resumed.
Deputy Louise Doublet said her primary concern was for young Islanders, and Deputy Jonathan Renouf said that while the legislation was not perfect, a failure to take action would increase the level of risk.
Deputy Jeune said there was concern among Islanders, with a petition on the government website having attracted around 600 signatures.
After the proposition was supported by 42 votes to zero – with Deputies Tadier and Coles abstaining – it was confirmed that the Scrutiny panel would be “calling in” the legislation in order to review it and potentially suggest changes before the matter returns to the Assembly at a future sitting.
A deadline of 3 February was set, although the debate on the details of the amended law may be scheduled for an earlier date.
