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Do you know a dog who deserves an asbo?

Owners of dangerous dogs could soon be forced to muzzle or even neuter their pets under new Government proposals, which would make it a criminal offence for a dog to be 'dangerously out of control' at home or in a public place - which has to be good news for postmen.

Ministers are also considering forcing every dog owner to take out third party insurance and to have their dog microchipped, which could cost the average family £100 under the new rules.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: "The vast majority of dog owners are responsible, but there is no doubt that some people breed and keep dogs for the soul purpose of intimidating others, in a sense using dogs as a weapon.

"It is this sort of behaviour that we will not tolerate; it is this sort of behaviour that we are determined to stop."

The new measures are aimed at tackling the growing problem of vicious animals being bred for use as weapons, particularly on inner-city estates. In extreme cases the dogs could even be confiscated and given to new owners.

Billy Hayes leader of the Communications Workers Union, said: "Our members - postwomen and postmen in particular, but also telecom engineers on domestic calls - are regularly bitten by dogs that have been either left unattended or are simply not under control.

"Alarmingly, over the past year dog attacks have risen by 20 per cent. This reform cannot come soon enough."

More than 100 people a week are treated in hospital after being bitten by a dog, according to new figures, which suggest the number of cases has gone up from 3,079 in 1997-8 to 5,221 last year.

What do you think? Do you welcome the new rules or think it's unfair to make families of well-behaved pets pay for insurance and micro-chipping?

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