SafePets UK, Debbie Connolly

04/04/2024

Morning all. There are a lot of advice sheets in photos about law, tenancy issues, child safety etc. Feel free to copy them or there are copies in other formats. If you message your email address, we can send them to you. In the meantime, the sheets we made for preparing to adopt or foster and advice going forward are copied here again.
Feel free to share.

28/02/2024

I was happy to advise this rescue to get justice. 2 dogs sold by the fosterer. Successfully prosecuted for theft and sentenced yesterday.
Apollo is still missing.

We are a home based rescue in the UK. We rehome nationwide throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

19/02/2024

Please share this survey to gather information on the seizure of XL Bullys nationally

Click the image to respond to the survey, all anonymous

25/09/2023

I have seen some misinformation regarding the XL Bully ban.
There is some sort of graphic going around that apparently says these dogs MUST wear a harness and that dogs tags MUST have the dog's name on them.
Firstly no they do not need a harness although one can be useful in controlling a large dog by use of a double ended lead on a collar and the other end on the harness. The law says exempted dogs must be on a lead and muzzled in public. It does not say must be wearing a harness as things stand now.
The law on dog tags is the Control of Dogs Order 1992:
"2.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, every dog while in a highway or in a place of public resort shall wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on the collar or on a plate or badge attached to it.
(2) Paragraph (1) above shall not apply to—
(a)any pack of hounds,
(b)any dog while being used for sporting purposes,
(c)any dog while being used for the capture or destruction of vermin,
(d)any dog while being used for the driving or tending of cattle or sheep,
(e)any dog while being used on official duties by a member of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces or Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise or the police force for any area,
(f)any dog while being used in emergency rescue work, or
(g)any dog registered with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association."

19/09/2023

I don't really know what I'm doing on Tik tok but I've set up on there. Can you follow me please if you're on it

103 Followers, 94 Following, 58 Likes - Watch awesome short videos created by My Dog Has Bitten UK

16/09/2023

I have updated my blog post on the XL Bully crisis. I did several interviews in the last few days, but had to turn down several yesterday as I have reports to finish. I have been sent info that the trainers that have been on TV today have misrepresented the law and Police powers. Please ensure you get advice from people who work within the law.

The press are currently endlessly headlining with the need to add the XL Bully to the Dangerous Dogs Act due to the numerous deaths attributed to this type of dog. Is this realistic or practical? …

15/09/2023

If you want to see my expert witness work, do like my other business page.

American XL bully dogs are a danger to communities and will banned, Rishi Sunak has vowed, after a man was mauled to death.

10/06/2023

Please consider getting insurance for your dog if you don't have this already.

Everything you need to know about becoming one of our members.

02/02/2023

I have had several emails recently asking for advice on tenancy disputes. In the main they are whether the landlord/council/association gave permission to keep a dog. The owner then gets a letter telling them they must remove the dog.
Make sure you keep a copy of your tenancy agreement. Keep emails showing your requests and your permissions given.
They have no powers to remove your dog. They usually give you a date you must comply by and have the dog gone by then. If you do not comply they will need to take the matter to court, usually as a breach of your tenancy. This has happened according to some I have spoken to. If you live somewhere that does not allow dogs, the landlord has the right to take you to court if they feel it is needed.
My advice is to try and reach a compromise if you cannot prove you have permission to keep a dog at your address. Ask for all correspondence to be in writing.
If it is alleged there have been complaints, ask for details. They will have to provide all this if it goes to court. They cannot tell you who made complaints, but can tell you the dates and the reasons. I hear a lot of landlords saying "there have been complaints" but no proof.
Then you have a chance to respond.

If the issue is a noise complaint, keep your own diary. make sure you are honest. Note the times you leave and return and any barking you do witness. Note if you can hear other dogs barking which could be mistaken for yours.
When you take on a new tenancy, check your pet policies carefully. Do not rely at any point in someone saying "yes it's fine to have a dog here", get their name, get it in an email.

Follow these general points:
Get a copy of your tenancy agreement if you do not have it.
Keep everything in writing.
Check tenancy agreements before signing.
Keep a diary of your coming and going.
Ask for dates and reasons for complaints in writing if there are any.
Ask for a meeting, take notes and see if there is any compromise to be made such as training or behaviour help.

02/02/2023

Thanks for all the messages recently about my TV and radio interviews as we start the year with 2 tragic fatal dog attacks.
There are a lot of calls for the return of the dog licence, but as it was it won't help.
I have blogged some thoughts on this.
Do see my dangerous dog work on my other business page My Dog Has Bitten - DDA UK

The rise in fatal dog attacks over the last couple of years has resulted in calls to bring back the dog licence. As someone who vaguely remembers it, I don’t recommend it. It was pointless. …

21/01/2023

I've done a few TV and radio interviews since the recent fatal dog attack tragedy. Does any one have any thoughts about the way forward?

01/11/2022

With so many people needing to rehome dogs, I have written a new blog post on rehoming, adopting and good practice.
The guidance I have previously written to help dogs go safely to new homes is also added to this blog post. Feel free to share and use.

It seems in 2022 that far more people are needing to rehome their dogs. There are risks involved in both selling your dog or finding a home, or not realising the rescue you use is not reputable. A …

13/10/2022

Please keep sharing this, the welfare of seized dogs has to be addressed.

Appoint an Independent Team to oversee the welfare of dogs seized by Police

20/09/2022

Morning all. I'm always looking at ways to help in difficult situations and currently everyone is struggling.
I am thinking of Skype or Zoom as video consultations so I can see the pet.
What about a half hour 1-2-1? I could hire a local secure field in the Midlands and offer 30 mins or 45 mins sessions hands on to keep the costs down?
The cost would be around £30 to £45 per session.
Is there any market in offering these things? I am thinking of East Midlands or Herts areas to do the hands on as I know where the secure fields are there.

19/08/2022

Please keep sharing this, something needs to be done.

Appoint an Independent Team to oversee the welfare of dogs seized by Police

21/07/2022

Please complete and share my poll. We need the reasons why so many dogs are in need of rehoming this year and so few rescue spaces are left.

The rescue world in the UK is in crisis. Huge bills, dogs not rehoming quickly, too many people asking for rescue space. To try and understand why these numbers are so huge this poll is asking for anyone who needed to rehome their dog this year to answer. This is for 2022 to date only to enable a

04/06/2022

I've posted this again as I am seeing a big increase in dog bite issues and I am working with several rescues. Whilst the infogram was mainly for those adopting dogs being imported, the principles are the same regardless of where someone is getting a new dog from. Preparation can make a huge difference.

06/04/2022

My latest case as expert in court yesterday. This dog arrived a mess, RSPCA have not even visited the kennels yet despite my report weeks ago.
If you have a dog seized, ensure you get welfare updates and if you get an expert to assess, ensure they record the state of the dog and report any welfare concerns properly.

28/02/2022

Please sign and share my new petition. Seized dogs must be independently seen and their welfare checked. The dog in the photo was poled into a van for my assessment and arrived terrified, injured and had blood in the crate.

Appoint an Independent Team to oversee the welfare of dogs seized by Police

31/01/2022

Hello all, please read the post from my other business page about the upcoming zoom session.

EDIT: if you wish to be involved in the Zoom meeting to discuss the role and training of experts, you need to email me and a link to join the meeting will be emailed the day before. Please email the subject as "expert zoom meeting" to [email protected]
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Just one assessment to do so far for this week. I am planning on doing a zoom chat on Saturday or Sunday morning, 5th or 6th of Feb. This is a discussion session on expert witness work and my upcoming course which is being sent to hopefully get it accredited this week.
The course is expected to have 2 levels and the individual modules can be done and paid for individually. This gives those still needing further learning and experience a route to redoing the course later.
Do indicate here or by message which day you prefer and I will pick the majority one.
I also have been asked about a course for assistants to experts which I am going to write. It could be a way in for those needing more experience and also those who want to assist but do not want to be experts themselves.
I am thinking around 10 am for an hour.
There have been a few messages from people wanting to do a chat about the law and how it impacts their job as a trainer or dog walker. If enough interest I am happy to arrange another zoom session for that.

27/10/2021

Please share my new survey to back up work I am doing nationally.

This survey has been created to gain a national picture of the handling of Dangerous Dogs, their seizure and their welfare in England and Wales. To complete the survey you need to have been involved in a bite/injury incident, suspected of owning a banned breed or both.

06/09/2021

I help a lot of rescues for free who need to improve policies and paperwork. I created this to help dogs get a good start in foster or new homes. Amendments for individual dogs should be made, but I tried to make a clear plan that can quickly be referred to.

17/06/2021

This has been an education for me in my first case in Scotland as an expert witness. I am chasing the Community Safety Minister and Police Scotland as I have major concerns about some policies.

26/05/2021

Thanks for the likes and messages. Do like and follow my expert witness page to read about the work I do for court cases involving dogs. https://www.facebook.com/mydoghasbitten

Debbie Connolly is an experienced behaviourist & expert witness assessor for Dangerous Dogs Act cases

25/05/2021

I keep banging on about the imported dogs I am seeing in my expert witness work in dangerous dogs. This is one of the worst I heard yesterday and gave advice on.
Sadly yesterday I was asked to offer advice to a person who disclaimed their dog to police stating they felt Police told them no choice. This dog had bitten 4 people within a few hours of being delivered to them via a transporter for a Bulgarian rescue.
I have said before I am seeing more of these.
PLEASE do your research, too many of these dogs come with NO advice, preparation and help and get into trouble, escape or are terrified.
My infographic on this is here

07/03/2021

The 4 current infographics covering tenancy disputes with dogs, child safety, rescue dogs from abroad and the law

21/02/2021

I've posted this on my other page but think about what you use to walk your dogs in.
Most are aware of the increasing attempts to steal dogs and some have been violently attacked. I note the comments by people who have had leads unclipped or cut through. I have been discussing this with clients and friends and maybe using a wire lead which cannot be cut easily and a locking carabiner clip that is not easy to open may help?
I've seen sensible advice suggesting walking with others when you can, changing route and timing and being vigilant. Keep your phone with you at all times or use a body cam.
Self locking carabiner
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magideal-Lobster-Accessory-Carabiner-Climbing/dp/B078R28R5T/

Wire lead
https://www.amazon.co.uk/WANLIAN-heavy-duty-anti-bite-traction-comfortable/dp/B08NK1JRTP/

Other types of locking carabiners and wire leads exist too.

WANLIAN heavy-duty anti-bite steel wire dog leash with pet traction rope traction training strength, PU leather handle is comfortable and no rope burns, strong dog lead chain 1.8m chewy metal.

15/02/2021

My 6th CPD course has just been accredited by The CPD Group.
Good Practice for Dog Walkers.
Courses for police, kennel staff and dog owners. Show you are up to date with your knowledge
Www.dogline.co.uk

DogLine Accredited CPD provider offering courses to Police, Kennels, Dog Wardens, Owners and others to increase knowledge and safety.