Changes to the Dogs Act 1871 lobbied for by NHS Protect will give greater legal protection to healthcare staff facing dangerous dogs on private property.
NHS Protect says the extension of current legislation on dog attacks in public places to cover private properties is essential to protect NHS workers caring for patients in the community. The organisation said: “Current laws do not offer sufficient legal protection to medical professionals and other legitimate visitors to private residences, if injured on the premises by a dog.” The changes mean that dog owners will be held to account for the behaviour of their pets. All dogs will also need to be micro-chipped from 6 April 2016, making the task of finding the owners of dangerous dogs easier.
