18 dog trainers seek accreditation from AVA

Eighteen trainers have applied for accreditation with the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), which wants owners to send all potentially dangerous dogs to approved trainers.

The ruling, which came into effect last November, affects mastiffs, German shepherds, bull terriers, doberman pinschers, rottweilers, their crosses and any dog with a history of unprovoked attacks.

On Sunday, a rottweiler killed a silky terrier during a dog event at the East Coast Park. The muzzle had reportedly been removed from the rottweiler to let it drink water, while the smaller dog had been unleashed to let it take part in an activity.

The AVA said the 18 trainers had applied in its first window of application, which closed last Friday. The list of approved names will be published on its website on Sept 13.