Liability Insurance for Dogs - a pre election stunt?

Well I must admit that the news that the Labour party are considering compulsory liability insurance for dogs brought a smile to my face - its not the concept - that seems fairly sound - its exactly how it would be implemented that got me thinking..

Remember the hunting ban and the protests that led to? Personally I think the dog legislation could be 100 times worse. And I really don't think the politicians have given a moments thought as to how they plan to enforce the plans!

It won't be Aunt Mildred and her poodle that will be the problem - although politically she and her friends will make a lot of noise about it. It will be owners of dogs that can't get cover, or find it prohibitively expensive that will be the issue. Owners of such pets will see their dogs as misunderstood victims of an unfair policy. Can you picture the scene as dog wardens and police arrive to remove dogs that do not have valid insurance? Whether from high rise blocks in London or Leeds, or nice semi detached houses in the leafy suburbs of Edinburgh or Exeter its not going to be a popular event!

And what happens then - prison overcrowding is a hot issue at the moment, but will be nothing compared to kennel overcrowding as uninsured dogs are locked away!

Can't wait for the next big idea as things hot up before the election - still saves talking about the economy....