The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee will conclude its work this Parliament in March 2026 ahead of the next Scottish Parliament election. So the Committee has time to complete its work, it has agreed not to consider petitions submitted after 10 October.
The Committee will continue to meet but given the volume of petitions and agreed work programme it is unlikely that the Committee would be able to meaningfully progress work on petitions submitted after 10 October ahead of the election. Petitions lodged after this date will not fall when the Parliament is dissolved and will be for the successor committee to consider in the new session.
If you are seeking urgent action or policy change please contact one of your 8 MSPs or the Scottish Government directly.
Closed petition PE1892: Introduce a law that makes attacks by one dog on another dog a crime
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to make attacks by one dog on another dog a crime and subject to a penalty requiring the owner to pay a fine and reimburse any expenses related to the incident.
Previous action taken
I have raised this issue with MSP Michelle Thomson which resulted in her holding a meeting with Police Scotland. I also raised the issue with local Falkirk councillor Gordon Hughes.
Background information
I believe that Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 is there to protect dog owners and does not go far enough and not being adhered to. When a dog is attacked by a dog that has not been controlled by its owner, resulting in a loss of the dog, appropriate action must be taken. The owner should be liable to pay all expenses, including purchasing another dog for the owner who has suffered the loss of a beloved pet. Their dog should be removed from the owner if it is proven that the owner was irresponsible. It is not good enough for it to become the responsibility of a council dog warden who will decide the outcome of the case because outcomes vary from region to region. Dogs must be kept under control effectively and consistently.
This petition was considered by the Scottish Parliament
This petition did not collect signatures