S4E13 Take Another Breath: Dog Law with Trevor Cooper

In this episode, we dive into the world of dog laws and legislation with Trevor Cooper from Cooper & Co solicitors. Despite the usual hiccups and a slightly chaotic introduction (thanks, Ross! 😂), the conversation quickly becomes a must-listen for any dog owner or enthusiast.

Trevor Cooper, the leading specialist in dog law for England and Wales, sheds light on both criminal and civil laws affecting dog owners. He shares the differences between a solicitor and a barrister and offers a compelling insight into his journey to becoming a prominent figure in this field. For those who recall, we revisit the significant impact of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991—a piece of legislation that has brought about devastation and controversy since its inception.

If you're a dog owner, this episode is essential. We discuss the prevalence of relationship breakdowns and custody battles over dogs, reminding listeners to choose their partners wisely! While there are a few positives to note in the prosecution trends under the Dangerous Dogs Act, the reality remains grim—it’s largely a postcode lottery. And for the love of your canine companion, don’t rely on your dog to protect your home, vehicle, or garden.

As the episode concludes, we affirm that Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) is ineffective—something many of us already knew. The laws currently in place are outdated and unfit for purpose, and it’s clear the Dangerous Dogs Act has been a failure from the start. We need a fresh approach, and it’s time for all dog professionals to unite.

We also tackle some listener questions and leave you with a crucial reminder: make sure you have adequate third-party liability insurance. And if you don’t have a dog yet—think twice before getting one!

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Lez and Ross have both been in the industry professionally for well over 20 years and each has been involved with dogs for over 40 years.

Whilst sensibly they have stayed away from the ‘limelight’ regarding TV offers, they have regularly been on national and local radio, spoken at national events at NDWA, CFBA, and Kennel Club / Crufts events as well as bespoke speaking engagements for the Dog Safety Education Executive (DogSEE).

Ross wrote for Dogs Monthly Magazine for over 12 years and Lez was the first lady feature writer for a national Shooting Magazine (both Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter).

They were also 'study buddies' and were the first in the UK to achieve a Masters Degree (Professional Practice) in Canine Behaviour and Psychology in 2011. They work well together and apart, support and work with dog rescue organisations and train professional dog trainers and behaviourists.

Different as chalk and cheese, but maybe not as different as they like to think.
Intrigued? want to know more? then check out our websites...
www.rossmccarthy.com ~ www.lezgraham.com

And if you'd rather listen than watch, you can catch Gundogs and Guard Dogs on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/1p7kd7T...