Local MP, Gordon Prentice, has welcomed the Government’s decision to review the law on dangerous dogs.

In a consultation document published today, the Government says it is seeking views on whether current legislation on dangerous dogs adequately protects the public and whether it encourages responsible dog ownership.

Speaking from Westminster, the MP said: “I know from my constituency casework that dangerous dogs are a problem. Who feels comfortable walking past a slavering, bull necked dog with a spiked collar and fangs and which is off the leash?”

“These “status dogs” seem to me to lie at the very frontier of the term “domestic pet”. They are, instead, instruments of intimidation.”

The consultation paper looks at a series of options which include tightening up the legislation and introducing Dog Control Notices.

Other options being canvassed would require all dogs to be covered by third party insurance and requiring all dogs to be microchipped.

The MP added: “I am very much in favour of tougher controls.”

The consultation period runs from today (9 March) to 1 June 2010.

The document is available at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/dangerous-dogs