Plan to tighten dangerous dog law

Proposals are for all dogs, not just banned breeds

A new law to control dogs deemed to be dangerous have been proposed by an SNP MSP in the Scottish Parliament.

Alex Neil wants courts to impose "dog orders" for dangerous pets, which would ensure they were micro-chipped and kept under strict conditions.

Mr Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, says the new law should apply to all dogs who pose a danger, not just particular breeds such as pit bulls.

He claims the current Dangerous Dogs Act has loopholes which need tightened.

Current legisation does not currently apply to rottweilers, which killed a baby boy - Archie Lee - in West Yorkshire last month.

The emphasis, added Mr Neil, should shift from "breed to deed".

More than 300 people are admitted to hospital every year in Scotland with serious dog bites. The figure has nearly doubled in the last 10 years.

Mr Neil is launching a public consultation on his proposed bill and has already won initial support from the Scottish Government.