MPs set to debate furore over classing Staffordshire Bull Terriers as dangerous dogs

On Monday (July 16) MPs will debate a petition urging the Government to reject calls to add Staffordshire Bull Terriers to the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Natalie Winstanley, pictured with her one-year-old Staffie pup Hunter, has organised a protest march through Chorley against PETA's plans to class Staffies as dangerous dogs.Natalie Winstanley, pictured with her one-year-old Staffie pup Hunter, has organised a protest march through Chorley against PETA's plans to class Staffies as dangerous dogs.
Natalie Winstanley, pictured with her one-year-old Staffie pup Hunter, has organised a protest march through Chorley against PETA's plans to class Staffies as dangerous dogs.

The debate will start at 4.30pm and be opened by Helen Jones MP, Chair of the Petitions Committee.

It follows news of a protest walk in Chorley next Saturday (July 21) by Staffie owners demonstrating their anger at PETA’s efforts to class their dogs as dangerous.

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Organiser Natalie Winstanley said: “At the pub there will be barbecues, dog stalls, live music, possibly a bouncy castle.

“Then Staffie owners can relax in the beer garden, have a drink and get to know each other.”

The Chorley constituency was among the top 10 in the country to put its support behind the petition, with 406 signing it.

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The petition, which has over 153,000 signatures, criticises calls to place the breed on the Dangerous Dogs Act and argues that “Breed Specific Legislation is not the solution to the problem of dog attacks”.

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It goes on to say that Staffies are “great companions” adding “people create dangerous dogs, people are the problem".

In response to the petition, the Government says “the prohibition on certain types of dogs forms an important part of the measures needed to tackle irresponsible ownership” and goes on to stress that it has “no intention of prohibiting the keeping of Staffordshire Bull Terriers”.

Monday’s debate will provide an opportunity for MPs to question a Government Minister directly on this topic.

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