Anna Firth, MP for Southend West, officially presented the Bill for the very first time the other day at the House of Commons after she released a campaign following the death of a bichon frise in Leigh.
The Private Member’s Bill, informally called “Emilie’s Law”, follows Leigh homeowner Michael Joannou lost his dog Millie in a deadly attack by another dog in Chalkwell Park in 2021. The name of the Bill originates from Michael’s late sweetheart.
Under the existing law, dog owners are not accountable for any form of prosecution following an attack by their animal, unless the hurt dog is a help or a service dog, or unless another human is hurt or assaulted.
If authorized, the Bill would imply the owners of the dogs associated with deadly attacks might be prosecuted.
Mr Joannou signed up with Ms Firth, along with fellow south Essex MPs Mark Francois and Sir James Duddridge, at the House of Commons as the Bill was presented.
Ms Firth said: “I am thrilled to launch Emilie’s Law today in memory of my constituent Michael’s lovely bichon frise dog who was unfortunately killed in a dog attack in 2021.
“It is honestly outrageous that reckless dog owners are presently able to shirk all duty when their dog fatally assaults another, producing unknown distress and damage to the departed dog’s owner and broader family.
“Of course, not all dogs threaten and not all dog owners are reckless, however it is essential we have responsibility under the law so that in circumstances such as Michael’s, justice can be pursued.
“I look forward to leading this Bill for its first reading on May 23, and hope this gap in our legal system can be successfully addressed.”
Private members’ expenses are potential brand-new laws presented by members of the House of
Commons who are not ministers. They trust the assistance of the Government to end up being law.
In the 5 years in between 2016 and 2021 there was a 700 percent boost in dog-on-dog attacks, increasing to 11,559 from simply 1,700.
Mr Francois, MP for Rayleigh, and Wickford included: “Dogs are man’s best friend, yet when they are killed by another dog there is currently no recourse for owners under the law.”
