Labour today called on the government to introduce tough new ‘dog ASBOs’ in a bid to stop dangerous animals mauling children.
Proposed Dog Control Notices would see vicious animals banned from the streets or forced to be kept muzzled or on a lead.
The notices which are already used in Scotland would also see owners forced to take their dog to training sessions to improve behaviour.
It comes as the House of Commons today discusses the government’s new antisocial behaviour legislation, which Labour claims does not do enough to tackle dangerous dogs.
Shadow Home Office minister Steve Reed said: “The victims of dangerous dogs deserve better and stronger powers than the government have proposed.
He added: “It’s time for the government to step up to the mark and get behind Labour’s proposals.”
Dog Control Notices have already been given the backing of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee but have so far been rejected by ministers.
In a report earlier this year the committee said the cost of enforcing the orders would be cheaper than paying for the treatment of those injured in dog attacks.
The report concluded: “The government [should] reconsider its rejection of our recommendation and legislate to introduce Dog Control Notices to provide law enforces with tailored powers to tackle aggressive dogs.”
Ministers argue the proposals being discussed today, which do allow councils to ban dogs from playgrounds, will be enough to tackle dangerous animals.
The government also announced in February that it would extend existing laws to make it an offence for a dog to be dangerously out of control in any place, including on private property.
