Siobhian Brown: I get dog control notices from local authorities each week. Those deal with more than 1,200 dogs but there is not one distinct breed. There are some crossbreeds, but I know that the XL bully is not among the top 10 of those, so I do not agree with Jamie Greene regarding the data. I reiterate that I have been engaging extensively with stakeholders since the announcement. It is important for...
Siobhian Brown: As I made clear in my statement, the decision has not been taken lightly, but the Scottish Government has been left with little choice. I am aware that there is a range of views about the new safeguards. We are mindful of the possible impact that the change in the law may have on animal welfare organisations and will continue engaging with those organisations and with other key stakeholders...
Siobhian Brown: On the member’s assumption that we are being “reactive”, I have to be honest that we had to be reactive in this particular situation. It was announced only on 31 October that the first stage was going to be implemented in England and Wales. That is why we did not follow the eight-week timescale that was followed in England and Wales. We have taken our time to speak to stakeholders. We...
Siobhian Brown: The member raises a very important point. It is a lack of certainty from the UK Government as to the effect of its legislation that has led to this decision. The UK Government is not certain that English and Welsh dog owners would be committing an offence in selling their XL bully dogs outside England and Wales. I think that the definition in the letter was that that was unlikely. That left...
Siobhian Brown: On legislation, as I mentioned in my statement, the Scottish Government will look to work with key stakeholders and interested parties to look at potential improvements to the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 that coul d enhance and strengthen the general preventative dog control notices in Scotland. On the point about puppies being taken in at the border for rehoming, we will look at the...
Siobhian Brown: As I said in my statement, the Scottish Government’s decision is not one that we have taken lightly; it reflects the specific circumstances that have arisen. We need to replicate the new safeguards that operate in England and Wales in order to reduce the undue impact on Scotland. The Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 is, of course, not focused on any one breed. Its approach is “deed,...
Siobhian Brown: It is important that we engage with Scottish stakeholders, not override them by putting through legislation that comes up from down south. I have been doing so in recent weeks. As the member is aware, throughout the duration of the process—we must not call it “months”, as the process has been very short—the UK Government has been unable to give a definite statement on whether the new...
Siobhian Brown: The issue of a nimal welfare is not only important; it is emotive. The Scottish Government takes animal welfare very seriously and is committed to the highest possible welfare standards. We need to emphasise to people that they must be responsible owners and act responsibly when deciding to buy a dog or take one into their lives. I have met a number of animal welfare organisations as well as...
Siobhian Brown: I thank Christine Grahame not only for her question but for introducing her member’s bill, which became the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010. I have met her in recent days and am more than happy to consider any suggestions that she might have for strengthening the legislation.
Siobhian Brown: A non-harassment order can be made in certain circumstances by a criminal court or civil court. The criminal or civil court can make a non-harassment order that runs for an indefinite period of time if it considers that to be appropriate. A person can apply for an exclusion order from a civil court to exclude from the family home their spouse or civil partner or, in certain circumstances,...
Siobhian Brown: Non-harassment orders are intended to provide a means of ensuring that on-going harassment can be prevented. They can be especially important in protecting victims from on-going abuse by a partner or ex-partner who has been convicted of a domestic abuse offence, particularly if there are long-term coercive or controlling behaviours. However, discretion lies with the court in each individual...
Siobhian Brown: Our current legal aid funding arrangement ensures that around 70 per cent of people are eligible for a form of civil legal aid in Scotland. Means testing remains an important lever to ensure that we retain the wide scope of cases for which legal aid is available in principle. We have invested significant funding in front-line services, and we work closely with statutory agencies to improve...
Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Government recognises the significant disruption and harm to businesses and individuals from retail crime and continues to support the innovative Scottish partnership against acquisitive crime—SPAACE—strategy. Police Scotland leads the partnership, working with retailers and other organisations including Retailers Against Crime and Neighbourhood Watch Scotland. The focus is...
Siobhian Brown: We recognise the vital role that retail workers play in our society and we want to ensure that they are protected. Workers across all sectors should be safe at work and should never have to experience abuse or violence when simply doing their job. The Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2020, which came into force in August 2021, created a...
Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Government is concerned to hear reports of XL bully dogs being moved to Scotland for rehoming. I have made it clear to the United Kingdom Government that there should be no impact on Scotland as a consequence of the policy that has been implemented. The UK Government’s response said that if an XL bully owner from England or Wales travelled to Scotland and sold or otherwise...
Siobhian Brown: Given the lack of notice of the decision from the UK Government, and in the context of the different approach to dog control, I and officials have been reviewing the evidence on the situation in Scotland. We have met a wide variety of stakeholders over the winter to consider the evidence and their views on what work would be best in the Scottish context and to consider any unintended...
Siobhian Brown: Whereas the UK Government announced its decision to ban this dog breed with no advance notice or consultation—
Siobhian Brown: —we are approaching the matter in an evidence-based manner. [ Interruption .]
Siobhian Brown: No new breed type has been banned in the list for more than 30 years, and it is important to listen carefully to the views of dog control experts in order to inform our policy approach in the area. As I said in my first answer, the matter is under urgent review and the Parliament will be told about any policy change imminently.
Siobhian Brown: As I have said, urgent consideration is being given to the matter. I would say to any dog owner that they will need to understand the effect of any possible ban that is introduced in Scotland. At this time, any purchase of an XL bully dog would be made in a context that may suggest that it would be preferable not to acquire such a dog at the present time in Scotland.
