Minutes:
It was moved by Councillor C Johnsson and seconded by Councillor O Scargill that:
The recent spike in dangerous dog attacks by the so called XL Bully breed, including attacks in North Tyneside, has been shocking. Council welcomes the efforts of responsible dog owners who train their dogs properly resulting in well behaved dogs which offer companionship and enhance our communities.
North Tyneside Council:
• Welcomes the Government’s decision to add the XL Bully type to the list of dogs prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Meaning that from 1 February it will become illegal to own an XL Bully dog if it is not registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs.
• Asks the Mayor to work with Housing to establish any policy areas in relation council housing tenancies that could be tightened to ensure a more robust stance on ownership of dogs where they are found to play in a part in anti-social behaviour.
An amendment was moved by Councillor J Harrison and seconded by Councillor W Samuel as follows:
Bullet point 1 – to add the word ‘Conservative’ after ‘welcomes the’.
To remove bullet point 2 and replace with ‘Ask the mayor to write to all members confirming we already have policies in place for council tenants with regards to animals and any part they may play in anti-social behaviours. But also notes that it is not only council tenants who may cause anti-social behaviour with regards to dogs and it is the police, not the council who have the powers to enforce this under the dangerous dogs act.’
The amended motion therefore read:
The recent spike in dangerous dog attacks by the so called XL Bully breed, including attacks in North Tyneside, has been shocking. Council welcomes the efforts of responsible dog owners who train their dogs properly resulting in well behaved dogs which offer companionship and enhance our communities.
North Tyneside Council:
• Welcomes the Conservative Government’s decision to add the XL Bully type to the list of dogs prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Meaning that from 1 February it will become illegal to own an XL Bully dog if it is not registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs.
• Asks the mayor to write to all members confirming we already have policies in place for council tenants with regards to animals and any part they may play in anti-social behaviours. But also notes that it is not only council tenants who may cause anti-social behaviour with regards to dogs and it is the police, not the council who have the powers to enforce this under the dangerous dogs act.
A recorded vote on the amendment was requested by two members present.
Votes for the Amendment:
Councillors G Bell, L Bell, B Burdis, C Burdis, S Burtenshaw, K Clark, D Cox, S Cox, N Craven, J Cruddas, E Darke, C Davis, S Day, D Drummond, P Earley, S Graham, I Grayson, M Hall, T Hallway, J Harrison, A Holdsworth, Janet Hunter, V Jamieson, C Johnson, H Johnson, J Kirwan, F Lott, W Lott, A McMullen, J Montague, J Mudzingwa, T Mulvenna, M Murphy, A Newman, P Oliver, J O'Shea, S Phillips, E Parker-Leonard, B Pickard, W Samuel, J Shaw, A Spowart, M Thirlaway, J Walker, M Wilson.
Votes against the amendment:
Councillors L Bartoli, L Bones, J Johnsson, C Johnston, I McAlpine, P McIntyre, O Scargill, J Wallace
The amendment was approved by 45 votes to 8 votes.
A recorded vote on the Substantive motion was requested by two members present.
Votes for the Motion:
Councillors G Bell, L Bell, B Burdis, C Burdis, S Burtenshaw, K Clark, D Cox, S Cox, N Craven, J Cruddas, E Darke, S Day, D Drummond, P Earley, S Graham, I Grayson, M Hall, T Hallway, J Harrison, A Holdsworth, Janet Hunter, C Johnson, H Johnson, J Kirwan, F Lott, W Lott, A McMullen, J Montague, J Mudzingwa, T Mulvenna, M Murphy, A Newman, P Oliver, J O'Shea, S Phillips, E Parker-Leonard, B Pickard, W Samuel, J Shaw, A Spowart, M Thirlaway, J Walker, M Wilson.
Votes against the Motion:
None
Abstentions:
Councillors L Bartoli, L Bones, J Johnsson, C Johnston, I McAlpine, P McIntyre, O Scargill, J Wallace
The Motion was approved by 45 votes with 8 abstentions.