People who own dogs may soon be forced to take out third-party insurance in case their pet attacks someone, if Government proposals to change the Dangerous Dogs Act are passed.

People who own dogs may soon be forced to take out third-party insurance in case their pet attacks someone, if Government proposals to change the Dangerous Dogs Act are passed.

Dog control notices may also be introduced and owners may be forced to get their dogs micro-chipped.

Other proposals included allowing councils and the police to neuter dogs, as well as muzzle or leash them, and giving them the power to seize dogs and hand them over to new owners.

A dog owner who "allows" their pet to be "dangerously out of control" would also be criminalised. Current law only states that it is illegal for dogs to be out of control in public but an amendment covers people's homes.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: "The vast majority of dog owners are responsible but there is no doubt that some people breed and keep dogs for the sole purpose of intimidating others, in a sense using dogs as a weapon."

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