Poll: Do new laws on dangerous dogs go far enough?

The statistics were announced as tough new rules came into force today that make it possible for owners to be prosecuted for dog attacks on private property.

In the West Mercia force area, which covers Shropshire, police have already seized 13 dangerous dogs so far this year, of which two had to be destroyed. They seized 35 last year, of which 18 were destroyed, and 38 in 2012, when 18 were again put down.

Of the dogs seized this year, five were pit bull terriers, two Amercian bulldogs, one German shepherd, one Staffordshire bull terrier, one rottweiler, one great Dane and two cross-breeds.

Do the new laws on dangerous dogs go far enough?

Other breeds brought in by officers in the three previous years also included an Akitas, a Japanese Tosa, a husky, a bulldog and a Perro de Presa Canario.

The rise in seizures by police was particularly marked in the West Midlands force area. It seized 412 dogs in 2013, up from 360 in 2012 and 275 in 2011. Of those, 181 were destroyed, up from 159 in 2012 and 138 in 2011.

There were also increases in Warwickshire, where the force works as one with West Mercia. It seized 30 dogs, up from 23 in 2012 and equalling the 30 seized in 2011.

North Wales Police seized 21 dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act last year, compared with 19 in 2012 and 14 in 2011.

But Dyfed-Powys Police saw a drop, seizing four dogs last year, compared with seven in 2012 and nine in 2011.

And Staffordshire reported12 seizures in 2013/14, of which four were destroyed, while the corresponding figures for 2012/13 were 18 and 15.

Maximum prison sentences in England and Wales for allowing a dog to fatally attack someone today increased from two years to 14 years, while the term handed down when injury is caused is up from two years to five.

For the first time, the Dangerous Dogs Act also includes a specific offence to protect guide dogs from attacks, with guilty owners facing up to three years in prison.

Changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act will also mean dog owners can face prosecution if their dog attacks a person in their home or on any private property, except if they attack a trespasser.

Animal charities called for "drastic changes" to dangerous dog laws on private property following high profile attacks. Jade Anderson, 14, was savaged by four dogs in a house in Wigan last year.

A Dogs Trust spokeswoman said more still needs to be done, adding: "We do not consider breed specific legislation to be effective and would like to see it repealed."