Government to introduce compulsory insurance for dog owners

All dog owners in England and Wales would have to insure against their pet attacking someone, under a consultation on amending the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act.

Police and local authorities could also be given powers to force owners of dangerous dogs to muzzle them or even get them neutered. The proposal is to introduce compulsory third-party insurance for dog owners to ensure attack victims are compensated.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson told the BBC he was concerned that some owners were keeping dogs with the sole purpose of intimidating other people.

The proposed insurance plan would not apply in Scotland. However, a backbench bill proposed by the SNP's Christine Grahame is currently being examined by the Scottish Parliament.

The Control of Dogs Bill would allow councils to impose restrictions on owners who failed to control their pets. The Dangerous Dogs Act, which was passed by Parliament in 1991 after a spate of attacks, brought in destruction orders for banned dogs in England and Wales.

In 1997, another parliamentary act amended the law, removing the compulsory destruction orders and giving courts discretion over the issue and the sentencing of owners.

However, a spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers said: “We don’t think it is a practical idea or one that will get much enthusiasm in the insurance industry. The proposal seeks to make compulsory a product that doesn’t exist.

"Third party liability exists in household or pet insurance but it does not cover dangerous dogs. There are four in the act but insurers will have their own lists. Third party standalone insurance will be prohibitively expensive. It is fair to say that some owners will not insure their dogs and how would you claim against an uninsured person?”