Call for RSPCA to help Norwich’s dangerous dogs problem
Bosses at City Hall are being urged to get in touch with the RSPCA to tackle the growing problem of dangerous dogs in Norwich.
It comes after a spate of dog attacks in the city with hospital admissions from dog bites also on the rise locally and nationally.
Green city councillors on Norwich City Council are already in discussion with David Wilkinson, branch director of the Norwich and Mid-Norfolk RSPCA.
They want to make it more difficult for people to keep pets as status symbols, and are calling on the council to work with the RSPCA on the issue, and be more proactive in preventing and responding to irresponsible dog ownership.
As reported, calls have also been made by Lib Dem city councillors on the council to tackle the problem.
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They want dog owners to be forced to keep their pets on leads in areas of Norwich where other animals or people have been attacked.
Green Party Mancroft ward councillor Amy Stammers will call for the council to act on the issue at next Tuesday's full council meeting at City Hall.
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She said: 'Dangerous dogs are causing problems for residents of some areas of Norwich and the council needs to take action to make the city safer.
'This is not the first time that this issue has been raised with the council.
'A petition containing 360 signatures which called for all dogs in the West Pottergate area to be kept on leads was discussed by the council's cabinet on June 1.
'Unfortunately the need for this was not recognised and they are yet to take the matter forward.
'I hope that this approach will enable us to work more closely with the cabinet to ensure that – in light of recent events – this issue is taken seriously and all efforts are made to take preventative as well as responsive action.'
Recent incidents include an attack on an Old Catton woman who needed 47 stitches in her arm, and a nine-year-old boy suffered serious injuries to his right arm and underwent a two-hour operation after he was attacked by a dog.
Norwich South MP Simon Wright has raised the issue in a parliamentary debate on dangerous dogs, calling on local authorities and the government to take further action.
Has your pet been attacked? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.
