No10 has failed to make any firm commitments to tackling dangerous dogs after the Mirror highlighted a spate of brutal killings.
Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said “dog attacks can lead to tragic consequences” and acknowledged a string of recent “horrific cases”.
But the spokesman would only say that a review was ongoing into regulations for licensed dog breeders and pet sellers before any decision would be made on tightening current laws.
Ministers have also set up a working group with police, councils and animal welfare experts on reducing dog attacks, he added.
Vanessa Waddon, founder of Hope Rescue, said while she appreciates changing laws takes time, it is “not an excuse not to do anything”.
“What we can do now is crackdown on illegal and low welfare and irresponsible breeding. We have to put more resources into enforcement because these people are just breeding these dogs in full view of everyone. They're all over social media,” she said.
“I spent two hours one afternoon - I started on one breeder’s page on Facebook and followed through their connections and within two hours I found 30 illegal bully breeders in the Cardiff area alone.”
Lib Dem MP Tim Farron echoed her concerns, saying: “It is vital that the rules around people whose dogs attack people should be banned from having dogs are enforced.”
He said the review into the law was needed “as soon as possible to see if tougher penalties should be considered”.
“It is always horrific to hear about people being killed by dangerous dogs,” he added.
The PM’s spokesman said: “There have been some horrific cases and our thoughts and sympathies are with those that have been affected.
“We know dog attacks can lead to tragic consequences. It’s why we have a number of measures in place to protect people.
“There is the Dangerous Dogs Act which puts people in prison or disqualifies them from ownership if they let their dogs get dangerously out of control.
“Breeding and selling dogs as pets without a licence carries a penalty of an unlimited fine or six months in prison and we're also currently reviewing the regulations for licensed dog breeders and pet sellers to look at whether any changes need to be made to tighten up the current conditions.
“And finally, we've set up a working group with the police, local authority groups and animal welfare experts to look at ways to take forward measures on reducing dog attacks and to promote responsible dog ownership.”
Labour MP Wayne David, who has backed the Mirror’s campaign to crack down on dangerous dogs, said the government’s review is not due until the “end of this year” but should be published “immediately, and no later than the summer”.
“The Government has deliberated and pontificated for long enough. What is being called for now is action," he said.
“If there is not action, then the number of attacks and fatalities, particularly involving children, will increase, so action is required urgently.”
The distraught mother of Jack Lis, a 10-year-old boy who was killed in a horrendous dog attack in 2021, told the Mirror she is determined no other parent should face the trauma of losing a child to a dog mauling.
Emma Whitfield is campaigning for an urgent change of the law after seeing her fatally injured son dragged away by the arm from an XL Bully.
Since Jack’s death 18 months ago, 15 others have lost their lives to dogs – five involving children. None of these killer pets were on the banned list of dangerous dogs.
Campaigners say the law is not “fit for purpose” and are demanding the Government ditch it.
The Mirror is calling for the overhaul of the Dangerous Dogs Act and for the enforcement of rules to stop the illegal and irresponsible breeding and selling of dogs.
It also wants a public information campaign to promote the importance of responsible dog ownership and the need for training.
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