MPs urge review of strategy for dogs

The government’s strategy for tackling dangerous dogs is “misguided” and should be subject to a fullscale review, MPs have said.

Laws introduced in 1991 outlawed certain breeds or types of dog to protect the public from attacks but the number of deaths and injuries has continued to rise, most of them involving legal breeds.

Hospital admissions for dog attacks have increased by 81% since 2005 and an “unacceptably high” number of victims suffer life-changing injuries, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee said.

A new “dog control act” should be introduced to consolidate the existing patchwork of legislation, they said.