There has been an increase in dangerous dog-related incidents since 2020, with reported cases going up by around 20 last year, a Scrutiny panel has heard.
The Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel is currently reviewing proposed changes to the Draft Animal Welfare (Jersey) Law.
During a hearing yesterday it was revealed that there were 124 incidents reported last year – the highest number recorded.
Of those reports, around a third led to criminal investigations, with a third of those being prosecuted.
Craig Jackson, chief inspector at the States of Jersey Police, said: “We got just shy of 300 animal welfare logs or incidents last year, and 46% of those related to dogs that were dangerously out of control.”
The panel heard that other animal-welfare issues usually related to loose cattle or horses.
In response to a question from panel chair Deputy Hilary Jeune regarding the role of the police in preventing animal control concerns, CI Jackson said that not all matters required a 999 call and said it was important the public were aware of the right service to contact.
He said: “We do get a wide and varied number of weird and wonderful incidents called into the combined control room. It doesn’t necessarily require a police call.
“It may require another agency being deployed. There may be an incident where we have a deceased animal on the beach – there is no role for a police investigation there. It may be [for the] JSPCA or the States Vet to go and ascertain the cause of death.”