ABOUT 100 people a week are being attacked by dogs, it was revealed.
Now an MP has claimed that the increasing number of attacks on people by dangerous dogs is a “national calamity” that must be dealt with urgently.
Tory Andrew Rosindell called for the compulsory microchipping of all dogs as puppies and said the Dangerous Dogs Act should be scrapped, and replaced by new laws.
The Romford MP said banning a handful of breeds would not solve the problem of dogs terrorising parks, estates and streets.
Instead a “deed not breed” approach had to be taken with regard to new legislation, he told MPs.
“Inner city areas in particular are being blighted by the intimidating sights of individuals and gangs brandishing dogs that have been deliberately trained to produce the most aggressive demeanour possible,” he said.
Mr Rosindell, who owns a Staffordshire bull terrier named Buster, said there had been a 12-fold increase in complaints to the RSPCA about violent dogs and 100 people were attacked every week.
He added: “It would be no exaggeration to claim this is now a national calamity both in terms of public safety and animal welfare.
“As a result it is clear that the current legislation has failed on an epic scale.
“There is now a huge public desire for new laws that address this problem with owners properly held to account.”
