Labour presses for action on attacks

Left MP Ian Lavery welcomed a promise from Environment Minister David Heath to extend the Dangerous Dogs Act soon to cover attacks by dogs on private property in addition to public areas.

Mr Heath said it was "certainly" the government's "intention" to bring forward proposed amendments to the law in the coming session of Parliament, expected to start in May.

Demands for speedy action were sparked off when Mr Lavery launched a Westminster Hall debate on responsible dog ownership, in the wake of a cross-party MPs report criticising government failure to act.

Wansbeck MP Mr Lavery, who described himself as a "responsible owner" of greyhounds, said that campaigning for effective action must continue to prevent irresponsible owners allowing dogs to attack postal workers, nurses, and other working people.

Mr Lavery criticised a "lack of clarity" over government plans to ensure that all owners must have their dogs microchipped and registered on a database by April 6 2016.

Labour MP Michael Connarty recalled that David Cameron had assured a representative of communications union CWU in 2010 that action would be taken on dangerous dogs if he were elected.

"How many people will have to die or be seriously injured by dogs before the government does something about it?" asked Mr Connarty.

Around 5,000 postal workers are attacked by dogs every year, he complained.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were already taking some action, said Mr Connarty.