Huw Irranca-Davies MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for the Rural Economy, Food and Farming, responding to figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) which show that hospital admissions for bites and strikes by dogs amongst people living in the most deprived areas of England are three times as high as in the least deprived areas, said:

“The latest figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre makes it clear that the Tory-led Government’s piecemeal approach to tackling dangerous dogs has failed.

“After four wasted years the Government has no coherent strategy for necessary dog control and prevention, and the measures in its Anti Social and Behaviour Act fall far short of what is required.

“Ministers must do more to promote better education and responsible dog ownership, including reviewing breeding practices, so that we can prevent dog attacks and improve animal welfare”