In 2012/13 Fife Council issued the highest number of dog control notices out of all Local Authority areas in Scotland. Thirty-seven control notices were handed out in 12/13 up from ten the year before.
Additionally the number of investigations carried out into dangerous dogs in Fife nearly trebled in the space of a year. Figures released by the Scottish Government show that 159 investigations were carried out into dangerous dogs between February 2012 and 2013, up from 55 the year before.
Investigations are carried out into any dogs which are considered to be dangerous or a threat to local residents. The notices handed out often include control measures which vary from getting the dog micro-chipped to keeping it on a lead in public places.
Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“We have a lot of dog owners in Fife, and the vast majority of them make sure that their pets are well looked after and that they behave correctly. However, there have been incidents in the last few years of dogs acting dangerously, and it is worrying to see more cases of this happening in the region.
“Dogs can be great pets, but they need to be properly trained to ensure that they do not pose a threat to others. Some of the more vicious breeds have the potential to seriously harm children and proper precautions need to be taken.
“The fact that Fife dog wardens have issued the highest number of control notices in Scotland demonstrates a growing problem with dangerous dogs in the area. The Scottish Government must work hard to ensure that communities across Scotland are protected from the threat of dangerous dogs.”