Police seize thousands of dangerous dogs

Police have seized nearly 5,000 dogs suspected of being banned breeds from owners in England and Wales in the past three years, according to reports.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Apr 2016, 07:32 BST
Updated 13th Apr 2016, 07:37 BST
Dangerous dogsDangerous dogs
Dangerous dogs

The RSPCA is reportedly calling for the Dangerous Dogs Act to be amended due to concerns that it is too wide in its scope.

The animal welfare charity is said to want new laws that ban dogs based on their behaviour, rather than their breed.

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Pitbull terriers, Argentine mastiffs and Japanese tosas are among some of the breeds banned under the 1991 Act.

The BBC reported the figures after it emerged the Metropolitan Police are preparing to put down 300 illegal dogs seized from their owners in 2016.

A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs said the law should remain the same and its position was supported by the police.

He said: “Dog attacks can have horrific consequences for victims and families.

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“While any dog can become dangerous if it is kept by irresponsible owners in the wrong environment, the prohibition of certain types of dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act is crucial to help us deal with the heightened risk they pose.”