A year after the passage of the Dog (Liability for Attacks) Act 2020, the Justice Ministry is drafting a policy paper that will examine a number of legislative and regulatory issues concerned with the ownership, control and management of dogs including strays.

The policy paper is being prepared by the Ministry’s Legal Reform Department (LRD) and will be circulated to the Ministries, Departments and Agencies tasked with regulation of these matters as well as to stakeholders such as the JSPCA.

The key matters to be addressed by the policy will include the importance of dogs to human health, wellness and security; the regulation of public and private facilities for the humane treatment of dogs; the diversity of dog breeds and propensities; the control of the dog population; the control of stray dogs; and the treatment of dogs that endanger public health.

An extensive review of current related international and local legislation will be undertaken by the LRD and stakeholder consultations with public and private bodies will inform the policy.