Poll: Should dangerous dogs be banned based on their behaviour, rather than their breed?
The RSPCA is reportedly calling for the Dangerous Dogs Act to be amended so that dogs are banned based on their behaviour, rather than their breed. What do you think?
It comes after it was revealed that police have seized nearly 5,000 dogs suspected of being banned breeds from owners in England and Wales in the past three years.
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.
"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."
