Responsible dog ownership summit: report

Key outputs/ recommendations from summit

Establishment of a dogs advisory group

• As a key outcome of the summit, the Minister for Victims and Community Safety has asked Scottish Government officials to progress plans to establish an advisory group to look at the various issues raised at the summit to help determine what steps can be progressed in the short, medium, and long term.
• For example, in the short term what positive action can be taken that does not require legislation.
• Next steps/current position - Scottish Government officials will be in contact with stakeholders as soon as reasonably practicable to discuss the planned advisory group.

Funding to National Dog Warden Association (NDWA) to deliver training to dog wardens

• Dog wardens have a range of responsibilities with a clear focus on using the powers in the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 to help make communities safer.
• A key theme from the summit was the lack of comprehensive and effective training for dog wardens. While the NDWA does seek to deliver training for new wardens, this is a voluntary organisation who largely rely on the goodwill of members to deliver such training.
• One of the issues encountered in providing training is local authorities can be reluctant to release staff for training that may require a reasonable amount of time off the job. There are also challenges in covering costs for overnight accommodation etc.
• Next steps/current position – it has been agreed that Scottish Government funding is to be given to the NDWA as a dog warden training fund which is available to cover costs for providing training including the costs associated with wardens attending training.

Funding to Police Scotland to assist with identifying/ typing XL Bully dogs

• As part of enforcing the new XL Bully dog safeguards, it is acknowledged that a significant challenge is police officers’ understanding as to whether or not a dog is an XL Bully when they are called to deal with incidents.
• Next steps/current position - it has been agreed for Scottish Government funding to be provided to Police Scotland with additional funds to help to train three officers across the country to identify dogs. This would be confined to dogs which are dangerous and which for public safety reasons the police need to manage.

Funding to deliver new Police Scotland dog vans

• A significant concern regarding the safe transportation of dangerous dogs has been raised by the police. The main concern is that police vehicles are not designed to carry dangerous dogs – they are designed and kitted out for the movement of people and equipment.
• Next steps/current position – it has been agreed that Scottish Government funding will be provided to Police Scotland to procure five new specialist vehicles. It is expected that these vehicles will be based at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness to ensure coverage across the country.

Ministerial engagement with the Dog Control Coalition

• Both Ministers will look to undertake cross-portfolio engagement with the Dog Control Coalition.
• Next steps/current position – arrangements will be put in place. This may take the form of twice yearly meetings with the Dog Control Coalition, with the option to initiate additional discussions in the event of any significant policy issues arising.

Ministerial engagement / future Responsible Dog Ownership summit 2025

• Both Ministers and stakeholders agree a future summit on Responsible Dog Ownership would be helpful and should be delivered during 2025.
• Next steps/current position – arrangements will be put in place. Timing of the follow up summit still to be determined, but initial thinking suggests sometime late 2025.