JERSEY’s Children’s Commissioner has warned that proposed changes to the Island’s dogs law could unintentionally criminalise children as young as 10.
After a review found that the existing dogs law was “unclear” and “difficult to enforce” when it comes to protecting livestock – particularly in conservation grazing areas – the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Panel put forward a proposal that 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.
But, in a letter to Scrutineers, Dr Carmel Corrigan said the draft law, as it is currently worded, 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 suggested one solution would be to raise the legal age of dog ownership and responsibility from 16 to 18.
The Commissioner also urged politicians to delay the proposals, warning that a full Children’s Rights Impact Assessment had not been carried out.
She said the current draft risks creating “negative impacts” for young people and recommended the proposition be withdrawn until those concerns are addressed.
The amendment is due to be debated at next week’s States Assembly meeting.
