Britain scraps mandatory dog insurance plan

Plans to force all five million of Englands dog owners to buy pet insurance have been scrapped, just a week after they were first introduced by the government.

The government said that the idea came in the wake of growing public concern that irresponsible dog owners may be using their pets to intimidate communities, or as weapons by gangs.

The countrys current Dangerous Dogs Act does not cover attacks on private property, which means victims must seek recourse through the civil courts. Mandatory third-party insurance, along with other changes, was initially proposed on March 9. Secretary Hilary Benn announced on March 16 that the plan was being scrapped as he said We dont want to penalize the vast majority of responsible dog owners.

The number of dangerous dogs cases going to court in London alone has increased from 35 in 2002-2003, to 719 in 2008-2009.

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