As a devoted volunteer assisting those who find themselves with their beloved dogs unjustly seized or with a destruction order, I have witnessed first-hand the inconsistency in how these incidents are dealt with across Scotland. The lack of clear and standardised guidance results in heartbreak for families and unnecessary upheaval for pets.

I therefore call on the Scottish Government to ensure that all police forces have clear guidance when dealing with the seizure of dogs, to guarantee fair treatment across the board, irrespective of region or individual officer interpretation.

Additionally, we should also demand that any court-appointed experts in cases against dogs have their backgrounds thoroughly vetted. These experts dictate the fate of our pets, and we must ensure that they have the relevant knowledge and impartiality.

Lack of consistent handling of these incidents can have serious consequences. According to Blair and others (2018), "The over- or under-enforcement of control orders could lead to welfare problems for the dog, whilst imposing unnecessary burdens on the owner. A lack of consistency could also undermine public trust in law enforcement.

Our pets are not just animals; they are part of our families. By signing this petition, you are voicing your support for more consistent, fair, and just handling of dog-related incidents across Scotland.

we are working with a few owners at the moment going through the process and its very clear that little knowledge or understanding is a significant issue resulting in unnecessary destruction orders and unlawful seizures of dogs.

It's time to show the Scottish Government that our pets deserve better. Sign today.