According to the Metropolitan Police, in London, there were over 1,000 recorded violent dog incidents in 2007.
In 2008, the Metropolitan Police took custody of 481 dogs, with the figure estimated to rise to 800 by March of 2009.
Under the Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Act of 1997, illegal dogs are identified on the basis of their characteristics and behaviour, rather than their breed.
If a dog is used to attack or injure someone, the owner is liable to be charged with malicious wounding and could face imprisonment of up to five years.
The maximum penalty for possessing a banned dog is a fine of £5,000 and six months imprisonment.
But critics say that it is not enough. Some are calling for the reintroduction of the dog license, abolished in 1997. Battersea MP, Martin Linton, thinks that there needs to be wholesale reform of the law, including an age limit on dog ownership.
One council is acting already. In January 2009, Wandsworth Council will become the first council in the country to introduce compulsory dog micro-chipping measures on council estates in the borough to tackle dangerous dogs.
Tenants who refuse to have their dog chipped will face eviction.
Reasonable?
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