Islwyn MP Chris Evans has called on the UK Government to take action against irresponsible dog owners.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Evans urged the Government to publish their proposals for tackling dangerous dogs as soon as possible.
Over 5,000 people have required hospital treatment following a dog attack in the last year.
Mr Evans, himself a victim of a dog attack, said: “I know firsthand how serious dog attacks can be and too many people each year are admitted to hospital.
“The Government has to do more to crack down on irresponsible dog owners and they should start by bringing forward their proposals for dealing with dangerous dogs.”
Asking the question in the House of Commons, the Labour MP said: “In November 2010, I was one of the 5,000 people attacked by a dog since the consultation on dangerous dogs closed in June 2010. For fear of being called to order by you, Mr Speaker, I will not raise my middle finger to the Minister to show him the one-inch scar left following the attack, but will he bring forward the proposals on dangerous dogs before the February recess?”
James Paice, the Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, replied: “We are close to finalising a package of measures to tackle irresponsible dog owners—I am very sorry to hear that the hon. Gentleman has been the victim of such an attack—and we will be announcing those measures soon.
“In putting the package together, we have considered the benefits of compulsory microchipping of dogs and extending the current law to cover private property, so that the police can deal more effectively with out-of-control dogs on private property. The final package will cover future Government handling of such issues, as well as other plans to improve standards of dog ownership.”