Latest news with #ShafiAhmed
Daily Mail
05-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Strict new rules for dog owners in London: Council brings in ban after spate of attacks
Tower Hamlets council are introducing a strict set of rules for dog owners after a string of attacks left an 11-year-old girl with life-changing injuries and saw two Cane Corso's shot dead after mauling a woman. Under the new rules, which were approved under a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), dogs will still be allowed to play freely off-lead in all parks and green spaces in the borough. However, dogs will be banned from certain areas such as gated children's play areas and sports areas and there will be a requirement for a maximum of four dogs per person, unless they have a professional council-issued dog walker licence. Dogs must also be kept on leads on or near roads, pavements and communal estate areas and owners must put them on a lead if requested by an authorised officer. Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) will be introduced for any breach of these rules as well as for owners who fail to pick up their dog's faeces. People who are registered blind and/or deaf and those with a physical or mental impairment who use dogs for assistance, will be exempt from the rules in line with the Equality Act 2010. Out of all the 32 London boroughs, Tower Hamlets has the eighth highest crime reports relating to dog attacks. The council will be joining neighbouring boroughs Newham and Hackney which have had dog control PSPOs in place for many years. There were 92 dog attack crime reports in the borough between April and October 2024, according to internal police data. Councillor Shafi Ahmed said Tower Hamlets Council understands the majority of dog owners are responsible and their animals posed no risk of harm. But he noted 'several high-profile incidents' had left residents concerned about dangerous dogs and expressed worries about the risks to children. In September 2022, an 11-year-old girl was left with life-changing injuries after she was attacked by a dog on a road in Tower Hamlets before being rescued by passers-by. Footage of the savage attacked shared to social media showed the girl screaming on the floor as the dog bit down on her arm and hand. One passer-by was then seen attempting to pull the dog off the child while bystanders looked on in shock. As the dog's owner fled the scene, a man could be seen rushing out of his vehicle to help the girl before running back to what appeared to be a taxi to grab a bat which he used to pummel the dog until it released her. She was taken to hospital for treatment to her hand which sustained life-changing injuries. The owner, Siddique Ali, 43, was tracked down by police 12 days later following a public appeal and was jailed for 14 months for being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury to a person contrary to Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act. However, Ali's two dogs were never located. He was also banned from keeping a dog for 10 years and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £187. Detective Inspector Luke Hampton of the Met's Central East Command said: 'Ali had no control over the animal that attacked the child and even left the scene knowing that she had been seriously injured.' In February 2023, footage captured the moment police officers struggled to restrain a vicious dog after it bit a 13-year-old boy at a bus stop in Mile End. The teenager was taken to hospital for treatment and the dog was recovered by police. It is unknown whether or not officers managed to track down the owner. The Cane Corso owner was handed a suspended prison sentence in November 2023 after pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control (without injury). Pictured: the location of the incident, Commercial Road in Poplar In May 2023, a Met Police officer shot two Cane Corso's dead after they attacked a woman in Poplar, Tower Hamlets. The woman, who was walking her own dog at the time, sustained an injury to her leg after she had been knocked to the ground by the large dogs whilst trying to protect herself. Her dog was bitten and suffered a cut on its nose and had chunks of fur missing. Police found the owner, who was in his 40s, and the two Cane Corsos at the scene and attempted to negotiate with the man. After he refused to hand over his dogs, one of them jumped up at one of the officers before the man ran away with the animals. The armed officers officers pursued him to Limehouse Cut Canal but he would still not let them take the dogs. During the conversation, one of the Cane Corsos became loose and tried to run towards the officers but was stopped by the owner. Seconds later, one broke free from its lead and lunged at the dog handler before being shot dead by a firearms officer. The second dog was detained by the dog handler using a pole capture device and was tasered. However, it then broke free and was followed and shot dead by the same firearms officer as he feared for his colleagues safety. The dog owner was then tasered and arrested. After checking their systems, it revealed that he was disqualified from keeping dogs for 20 years as part of an order handed to him in 2019. The case was referred to the IOPC after the Met Police received complaints of misconduct and discrimination against the man because he was homeless. But after completing their independent investigation, IOPC officers found no evidence to uphold these claims. The Cane Corso owner was handed a suspended prison sentence in November 2023 after pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control (without injury). The clip showed the mutt chasing and attacking the horse with such aggression that the startled animal threw the officer from her saddle. She sustained 'minor injuries' He also pleaded guilty to possession of dogs whilst under a 20-year disqualification order. Earlier that month, he admitted to the same offences in connection to another incident in Westminster in February 2023 which saw a Pomeranian dog left blind after being attack by the dogs. In July 2023, police seized three dogs after they mauled a four-year-old boy in a park in Poplar estate. Officers found the boy at the scene with bite injuries, which were not life-threatening, and he was taken to hospital, accompanied by his 'shocked' mother. The dog's owner, reportedly warned of bringing the pets into the estate's shared playground where they are banned, was also bitten but refused hospital treatment. In August 2023, video footage captured the moment a dog attacked a police horse before a mounted officer was thrown from her saddle in Limehouse. The clip showed the mutt chasing and attacking the horse with such aggression that the startled animal threw the officer from her saddle. She sustained 'minor injuries'. According to The Sun, the owner, who was believed to be 12-years-old, tried to run after the tan Staffy mix as it attacked the horse. After the hound was trodden on by the horse, officers were able to tame and seize the dog. The frightened horse who had injuries to its legs attempted to flee before officers were able to reclaim the animal.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
New dog rules introduced by Tower Hamlets council
Dogs will be banned from all gated children's areas and must be kept on a lead on pathways after an east London council approved new rules under a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). The move, by Tower Hamlets council, follows several attacks by dogs since 2023, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. Councillor Shafi Ahmed said the council knew the majority of dog owners were responsible and their animals posed no risk of harm. However, he added, "several high-profile incidents" led to residents expressing concern about dangerous dogs, particularly about risks to young children. Tower Hamlets has the eighth highest crime reports relating to dog attacks out of all 32 London boroughs. Tower Hamlets will join neighbouring boroughs Newham and Hackney, which have had dog control PSPOs in place for many years. According to internal police data, there were 92 dog attack crime reports in the borough between April and October 2024. New rules to tackle 'out-of-control' dogs proposed Dog foster carers needed urgently - charity Don't go into water to save your dogs, owners told Under the new rules, dogs will still be allowed to play off-lead freely in all parks and green spaces in the borough but the following measures will be introduced in the autumn: Dogs will be banned from certain areas such as gated children's play areas and sports areas A maximum of four dogs per person, unless they have a professional dog walker licence issued by the council Dogs must be kept on leads on or near roads, pavements and communal estate areas Owners must put their dog on a lead if an authorised officer asks them to Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for dog fouling as well as all of the above. The new rules will not apply to people who are registered blind, are deaf and those with a physical or mental impairment who use dogs for assistance, in line with the Equality Act 2010. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to
BBC News
05-05-2025
- BBC News
Stricter dog rules to be brought in by Tower Hamlets council
Dogs will be banned from all gated children's areas and must be kept on a lead on pathways after an east London council approved new rules under a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).The move, by Tower Hamlets council, follows several attacks by dogs since 2023, the Local Democracy Reporting Service Shafi Ahmed said the council knew the majority of dog owners were responsible and their animals posed no risk of he added, "several high-profile incidents" led to residents expressing concern about dangerous dogs, particularly about risks to young children. Tower Hamlets has the eighth highest crime reports relating to dog attacks out of all 32 London boroughs. Tower Hamlets will join neighbouring boroughs Newham and Hackney, which have had dog control PSPOs in place for many to internal police data, there were 92 dog attack crime reports in the borough between April and October 2024. Under the new rules, dogs will still be allowed to play off-lead freely in all parks and green spaces in the borough but the following measures will be introduced in the autumn:Dogs will be banned from certain areas such as gated children's play areas and sports areasA maximum of four dogs per person, unless they have a professional dog walker licence issued by the councilDogs must be kept on leads on or near roads, pavements and communal estate areasOwners must put their dog on a lead if an authorised officer asks them toFixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for dog fouling as well as all of the new rules will not apply to people who are registered blind, are deaf and those with a physical or mental impairment who use dogs for assistance, in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Hi Dubai
23-04-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Dubai to Host WHX Tech: A New Global Hub for Digital Health Innovation
Informa Markets has unveiled WHX Tech, a groundbreaking global healthcare event set to debut at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 8–10 September 2025. Positioned at the intersection of technology and patient care, WHX Tech will spotlight cutting-edge innovations in AI, robotics, diagnostics, telehealth, cybersecurity and virtual care. Billed as a next-generation meeting point for the digital health ecosystem, WHX Tech will bring together health systems, regulators, investors, start-ups and tech leaders. More than 300 exhibitors and over 5,000 attendees are expected, with a strong focus on real-world applications and collaborative impact. 'WHX Tech is where technologies become care,' said Solenne Singer, Senior Vice President at Informa Markets. 'We're creating a platform that drives meaningful investment and real change in global health.' The event will feature immersive demonstrations, hospital simulations and curated conferences. A vibrant start-up ecosystem will be supported through mentorship, funding opportunities and a US$50,000 prize for healthcare disruptors. Notable speakers include Professor Shafi Ahmed, NHS Digital Academy's Rachel Dunscombe, and former NASA astronaut Dr Scott Parazynski. The agenda is being shaped by an expert Advisory Board with leaders from Microsoft, BioIntelliSense, NEOM, AWS EMEA and more. WHX Tech will span three stages: World X (transformation case studies), Future X (long-term innovation), and Xcelerate (start-up and investor engagement). A key partnership with the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) will support content and digital maturity initiatives. Set against the backdrop of Dubai's rise as a global innovation hub, WHX Tech is poised to accelerate the future of healthcare and reinforce the UAE's leadership in digital health transformation. News Source: Emirates News Agency
