Sir Christopher Chope MP tabled an Early Day Motion - EDM 114 on 27th November - Please ask your MP to sign it - our updated template letter reproduced below.

Update - 5th December: A further four MP's have added their signature to Early Day Motion 114 - The Rt Hon John McDonnell Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, Dame Andrea Jenkyns Conservative MP for Morley and Outwood, Grey Smith Conservative MP for Buckingham and Jon Cruddas Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham.

Please Write To Your MP:

- Email Your MP - Find your MP using your postcode, click on their name for contact email details on the Parliament website here - https://members.parliament.uk/members/Commons

- www.writetothem.com - enter your postcode, choose MP, send your message, you will receive an email to confirm before your message is sent.

- Or Write A Letter To You MP at: House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA

Please remember to include your name and address - so that your MP knows you live in their constituency.

Our Template Letter - please use as it is or for ideas

RE: Upcoming ban on the type of dog known as an XL Bully and the extension of Breed Specific Legislation.

I am writing to you as a matter of urgency concerning Statutory Instrument No 164/2023 - the Dangerous Dogs (Designated Types) (England and Wales) Order, SI No 1204/2023 and the primary legislation they relate to – the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (DDA).

I am deeply concerned with the far-reaching negative impact these changes in law will have on both dogs and their responsible owners, families, rescues and rehoming organisations; I ask you to please take urgent action to address this appalling situation.

I urge you as my MP, to put forward a prayer motion or support an Early Day Motion to revoke Statutory Instrument 164/2023 within the 40-day period given.

I look forward to your views on the issue of breed specific legislation and the upcoming ban on a type of dog, based on physical appearance, dogs which have done absolutely nothing wrong, this issue is important to me and will influence the way I decide to vote in the forthcoming election.

In my opinion, the DDA is not working and has never worked, attempting to ban types of dogs has not prevented nor reduced dog bite incidents, it doesn’t address the root causes.

The upcoming ban is pursuing ‘types’ of dogs – thousands of them, in responsible homes and dog rescue centres across the country, more dogs will be put to death based on their physical appearance, much loved cherished family members are being targeted by a failed law which does nothing to promote public safety.

The XL Bully TYPE dogs (based on a vague and far-reaching description which is wide open for interpretation) currently in rescues are at risk of death if they cannot find a home by the deadline of 31st December; what have they done to deserve this?

It is a desperate situation and heart-breaking for all those involved, how can the killing of innocent dogs based on their appearance be allowed to happen?

Dog owners are expected to determine whether or not their own dog falls within the description of the XL Bully 'type' given by Government, when police experts are required to undergo training to identify whether a dog is a prohibited 'type'. How can dog owners be expected to make the decision on whether their own dog is a designated 'type' - a commitment which can have far reaching consequences?

The Dog Control Coalition stated: “we agree that urgent action needs to be taken to protect the public from out-of-control dogs, but we are disappointed that the Government hasn’t taken the opportunity to completely overhaul the Dangerous Dogs Act. With its continued focus on specific breeds, rather than a focus on prevention and implementation of tougher penalties for those owners not in control of their dogs, it is not fit for purpose.”

THE EFRA Committee extensive investigation and report in 2018 carefully considered the merits of the breed ban under the Dangerous Dogs Act, stating that: “Our evidence was clear that the law is riddled with inconsistencies, harms animal welfare unnecessarily, and offers false reassurances to policymakers and the general public. All dogs can be dangerous, and we can't ban all dogs that might one day bite someone. Evidence from across the world shows that the Government should focus instead on encouraging responsible ownership, improving education, and ensuring offenders face robust penalties.”

Why is the Government not listening to the real experts and scientific data on this issue?

I look forward to your response.

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