UIA Insurance News

New plans 'could lead to compulsory pet insurance'

Plans to tighten the laws on dog ownership were announced this week by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs - and could result in pet insurance being mandatory for dog owners.

Proposals under consideration by environment secretary Hilary Benn and home secretary Alan Johnson include making third party insurance compulsory for all dog owners so victims of attacks can be properly compensated.

Current legislation contained in the Dangerous Dog Act does not cover any attacks taking place on private property where the offending canine is entitled to be.

Other measures proposed include removing any existing exemptions on the ownership of banned breeds.

Mr Benn said: "This is a serious issue of public safety. The government wants to hear what people think about the law as it stands and what more we might do to protect people from dangerous dogs."

Pete Wedderburn, a qualified vet writing for the Daily Telegraph, suggested any proposed national database of dogs would be ineffectual against those in gangs using the animals as weapons.

By David Leonard

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