Animal Welfare Conference looks at issue of dog control amid ongoing incidents

Effective dog control and what can be learned from examples of successful practice across the world was among the topics discussed at a conference on animal welfare.

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) Animal Welfare Conference saw a range of illuminating talks on areas impacting the work of environmental health professionals and their responsibilities around animal welfare.

Amid continued and concerning incidents involving dangerous and out of control dogs, one of the headline presentations during the event was from the RSPCA who introduced research on alternative approaches to effective dog control.

Dr Sam Gaines, Head of Companion Animal Science and Policy and Lee Gingell, Public Affairs Manager at the RSPCA spoke about the research which aimed to take lessons from what has worked in other areas so these can be potentially implemented in the UK.

One area which was particularly highlighted was Calgary in Canada which has been recognised globally for its work in reducing dog bite incidents and its high rates of compliance for licensing.

The research found success was down to a range of factors including robust data collection, monitoring and traceability, consistent and robust enforcement and collaborative working, with a key theme of responsible dog ownership at the heart of its success.

The research concludes that achieving an approach that protects public safety and which is compatible with good dog welfare is possible and moving towards a model that emphasises this in the UK is critical.

However, for the UK to make this shift, attitudinal, behavioural and cultural change, as well as funding, is needed to enable the implementation of systems that underpin, promote and support this new approach.

New licensing rules for the keeping of primates as pets was another of the items discussed at the conference, with Sharon Edwards, Consultant Animal Health Inspector in Animal Health & Welfare Services at the City of London corporation presenting on the topic.

It is estimated that up to 5,000 primates are kept in domestic settings in the UK and from April 2026, private primate keepers will be legally required to hold a licence issued by their local authority to ensure zoo-level standards are in place to meet the welfare needs of these intelligent animals.

Applying for a license will be available from April this year and the talk at the CIEH conference explored enforcement tools and guidance as this new legislation comes into force.

Among the other matters up for discussion during the half-day event was the latest on the Animals (Penalty Notices) Act 2022, and a distressing but informative case study on an investigation and ultimately a successful prosecution in the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames.

A woman was sentenced to 24 months in prison, suspended for two years, and banned for life from owning animals or applying for licences involving animals as a result of incident discussed by David Kingstone, Licencing and Environmental Compliance Team Leader at the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames authority.

Micaela Anderson-Letts, 35, was found guilty of 15 offences at Kingston Crown Court on 7 January 2025 for the mistreatment, neglect, and numerous breaches of the Animal Welfare Act in a case involving over 80 animals. More details about the case can be found here: https://www.kingston.gov.uk/news/article/532/woman-banned-for-life-from-owning-animals-following-joint-investigation 

David Prosser-Davies, Environmental Health Manager for Cannock Chase District and Stafford Borough Councils, who chaired the conference, said:

“It was fantastic to hear from so many experts in their field on matters impacting the area of animal welfare in the UK and I would like to thank all the speakers for giving up their time and delivering such thought-provoking and enlightening talks.

“I’m sure this conference will have proved inspiring to those in attendance, and they will be able to go back to their own authorities tooled with valuable information and knowledge to help in their work to protect the welfare of animals.”