Family of dog victim demand change in law

Jade Anderson, 14, was alone at a friend’s home in Chaucer Grove, Atherton, near Wigan, on March 26 when she was attacked by four dogs – believed to be two bull mastiffs and two Staffordshire bull terriers.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said last week they could not prove a crime had been committed and so were unlikely to make a prosecution, although added that one may be brought in the future.

The dogs involved in the attack, which happened on private property, were not illegal breeds.

In response Jade’s family have begun an online petition calling for the law to be updated.

More than 400 people have supported the “Justice for Jade” petition, set up by relative John Anderson, which will trigger a Commons debate if it reaches 100,000 signatures.

He believes dog owners should be made accountable for their dogs on private property, and called for more regulation of “certain” breeds.

The petition says he wants to save other families from “suffering like we have”.

Mother Shirley Lomas-Anderson told a national newspaper she was “furious” about the law restrictions.

“It’s unbelievable, outrageous that no action is being taken,” she said. “The police said they had to abide by the law, but we’ll never let this go.

“People need to be held responsible for their actions.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said last week: “While we do not want to be drawn on the politics surrounding the legislation of dangerous dogs, we are nonetheless bound by the law.”