Written question WQ89706

Animal welfare and the responsible ownership of animals are priorities for the Welsh Government and the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group. We take the issue of dog attacks on livestock very seriously. The costs, financially and emotionally, for those who own or find dead and injured livestock are wholly unacceptable, as are the animal welfare implications. The Countryside Code, published by Natural Resources Wales, provides clear guidance on the responsibility of dog owners to keep their dogs under effective control. Dogs should be kept on a lead or in sight at all times and owners should be confident their dogs will return on command.

I held a multi-agency Summit on responsible ownership on 18 October. The aim of the summit was to explore what may be missing on action and enforcement regarding dangerous dogs and the additional steps which can be taken to promote and improve responsible dog ownership here in Wales. Outcomes from the summit are being developed and I will provide an update via a written statement which will be published shortly.