‘Enough is enough’ – Mom of canine assault sufferer requires change within the legislation
T
he mom of a 10-year-old boy who died after being mauled by a canine has referred to as for a change within the legislation, saying “enough is enough”.
Emma Whitfield, 32, is asking for “Jack Lis Law”, named after her son who died in November 2021 in Pentwyn, Penyrheol, close to Caerphilly, South Wales, after the assault by an XL Bully – a breed developed from the American pit bull terrier.
She instructed the Daily Mirror, which is backing the marketing campaign for a change within the legislation: “I still have terrible flashbacks. I still see the animal and its teeth. I hear the barking.
“You relive it multiple times a day – it’s torture.
“I still find it unbelievable. Sat on the sofa or on the way home, it hits you all over again.”
The canine’s proprietor Brandon Hayden, then 19, was sentenced in June 2022 to only over 4 years at a younger offenders’ establishment and Amy Salter, then 29, was jailed for 3 years after they pleaded responsible to being in command of the uncontrolled canine, which was named Beast.
An additional 15 individuals have misplaced their lives in canine assaults within the 18 months since Jack’s loss of life, together with an 83-year-old girl in Caerphilly, whereas there have been almost 22,000 circumstances of accidents from uncontrolled canine in 2022.
Jack’s mom stated: “Enough is enough. This has to stop.
It’s out of control and there are people losing their kids because of this. I want to stop this happening
“It’s mind-blowing how it keeps happening. It should never have happened to Jack but why has nobody learned from this?
“Innocent people are dying. The Government needs to act now. It’s out of control and there are people losing their kids because of this. I want to stop this happening.”
She stated sure sorts of canine have turn into “status symbols” and stated not all breeders or homeowners want policing beneath new laws.
“To me it is not different than having a lethal weapon,” she stated.
“My problem is with backyard breeders who don’t care where the dogs go. There is no reason why a dog needs to sell for £10,000 to go into a family home.”
She additionally referred to as for harder sentences with Salter presumably being launched from jail earlier than the top of the yr.
“She only missed one Christmas when we have lost a lifetime of them,” Ms Whitfield stated.
The marketing campaign for the “Jack Lis Law” is backed by the Mirror, the Dog Control Coalition – which incorporates the RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home – and Caerphilly’s Labour MP Wayne David.
They are calling for a special strategy to canine laws which incorporates all canine and focuses on breeding, coaching and the sale of canine.
Calling the issue an epidemic, Mr David stated: “We have to ask who is next?
“There can be no doubt that radical reform is needed to dog law. This will only happen when everyone who is concerned pulls together.
“I’m quoting the police when I say there is more money in selling dogs for some criminals than selling drugs. I’m determined to see this issue addressed by the Government as soon as humanly possible.”
He has beforehand referred to as for the reintroduction of canine licences.
RSPCA head of companion animals Dr Samantha Gaines stated: “The Dangerous Dogs Act has failed to protect the public from the risk of bites, we want a new approach.
“It is also essential measures are available to deter and punish owners of dogs whose behaviour is dangerous.”
The XL Bully will not be recognised as an official breed by the UK’s Kennel Club.