Competency Testing for Pet Owners

England considers screening potential dog parents

By Melissa Barr

Proposed legislation in England is attempting to make it mandatory for prospective dog lovers to pay for and undergo “competency testing” to ensure that they are fit for responsible puppy parenthood. In an attempt to regulate the ownership of “dangerous dog breeds”, the government hopes to cut down on the number of dog attacks, but concerns have been raised from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and responsible dog owners. Critics of the plan are concerned that responsible owners would be penalized, while the irresponsible ones would just ignore the legislation, and a spokesperson from the RSPCA said, “We would not support anything that would hit sensible owners while failing to police those who are a danger”.

The proposed legislation also suggests necessary micro-chipping and insurance coverage as well.

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