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Caerphilly’s MP has renewed calls for revamped dog safety laws following yet another serious dog attack in Penyrheol.

On Saturday April 29, a five-month-old baby was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries following a dog attack on Y Cilgant – the third serious attack in Penyrheol in just 18 months.

The dog, whose breed has not been disclosed yet, was seized by police. No other animals were involved in the attack.

The attack came just two days after the community council covering the area met to discuss the issue of dangerous dogs.

Labour MP Wayne David has been campaigning for changes to the law since the death of ten-year-old Jack Lis in 2021.

Following the latest attack, Mr David said new laws need to be put in place “very quickly and effectively”.

In January, he told Prime Minister Rishi Sunak the Dangerous Dogs Act was “woefully inadequate”. In response, Mr Sunak confirmed a working group had been set up with “police, local authorities and other key stakeholders” to look into the issue – with a report due later this year.

Mr David has called for this report to be published by the summer and called for new laws to cover all dogs, not just those on the banned list.

“A comprehensive approach that applies to all dogs, not just certain breeds, is needed,” said Mr David.

“A consensus is emerging among different groups that a new approach is necessary.”

Mr David once again called for the reintroduction of some sort of licence for dog owners, which would be enforced by local authorities.

Meanwhile, Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn Community Council launched its own initiative to try and tackle the problem – two days before the latest attack happened.

A meeting was held at Penyrheol Community Centre on April 27 with councillors, police officers, dog trainers, council dog wardens, community safety wardens and housing officers, as well as members of dog clubs and dog charities.

South Wales East Senedd Member Peredur Owen Griffiths was also in attendance.

Penyrheol councillor Steve Skivens said the aim was to create educational material to raise awareness of what is acceptable dog behaviour and how to report concerns.

The initiative, which will run through to the autumn, also aims to direct dog owners to support from dog trainers, clubs and charities and give people the confidence to come forward and report any concerns over a dog or its owner.

Third dog attack for Penyrheol

This is the third serious dog attack for Penyrheol in just 18 months.

Ten-year-old Jack Lis who attended Cwm Ifor Primary School, died on November 8, 2021, after being attacked at a friend’s house on Pentwyn.

Jack was killed by an XL American Bully called Beast, which was shot dead by firearms officers after the attack.

Amy Salter, 29, of Llanfabon Drive, Trethomas, and Brandon Hayden, 19, of Pen y Bryn in Penyrheol, were jailed in June last year in connection with Jack’s death.

In December last year, 83-year-old Shirley Patrick died as a result of injuries suffered in an attack at her home in Heol Fawr.

Jack’s mother Emma Whitfield has since been leading a campaign for reform of the laws surrounding dog ownership. In March, she visited the UK Parliament to meet with MPs from across the political spectrum

On June 2, Ms Whitfield will speak at a conference held by the Coalition of Dog Welfare Organisations – which is a collection of animal welfare groups campaigning for reform of dog control laws in the UK.

Members of the coalition include Battersea Cats and Dogs Home, Dogs Trust, RSPCA, Blue Cross, British Veterinary Association and Scottish SPCA.