Dog tagging

I would like to express my greatest sympathy towards Vanessa Grech, whose dog was mauled by a "pit bull" in Sliema. Losing a dog is traumatic enough without having to watch its violent demise.

This letter, however, is not just one of condolence. I would like to suggest that dogs be given a tag or badge of some sort. A dog taken out for a walk would wear this tag and should anything happen, the number on the tag would be noted and the owner (if it is not the person actually walking the dog) would be notified and fined.

A dog leaving its home without a tag would also be fined. A tagged dog can be traced to its owner if found roaming the streets and this would help to return lost pets to their owners without the need for micro-chipping, tattooing etc.

The trip to the police station to register the dog could be used for an assessment of the dog's temperament by a vet or experienced dog handler. If the dog is deemed a risk, the information is put on the tag, such as if a muzzle is recommended or if it should be treated with extra caution. Any owner outside with such a dog that is unmuzzled would be subject to a fine.

By "risk" I mean over-aggression due to a protective instinct over its master, a genuinely violent disposition or a tendency to snap, bark at or bite strangers. This is nothing whatsoever to do with breed or size. Even a toy dog can have a huge ego.