It was reported yesterday that another innocent person has been mauled to death by "dangerous dogs." How many more must die or be maimed before the Dangerous Dogs Act is proclaimed as law? The Dangerous Dogs Act No 32 of 2000 was passed in the Senate on June 6, 2000 and amendments agreed to in the House of Representatives on June 9. It was accented to in the House on August 11 that year, more than 10 years ago but the Act is yet to be proclaimed. Why the delay?
Writing letters to the editor are good but are not adequate. This is an appeal to all citizens who are concerned about their safety and that of their children, other family members and their friends to write to the Attorney General, Anand Ramlogan, as I have done, asking that the Dangerous Dogs Act be proclaimed without further delay.
Apparently the Attorney General is unaware of the urgency to resolve this life-threatening problem. This law, when proclaimed, must be given wide publicity, must be vigorously enforced and the stated penalties imposed on dog owners found guilty of violation of the dangerous dogs laws. The citizenry must be protected from dangerous dogs.
Ian Lambie
Via e-mail