Battersea Park hosts dangerous dogs rally

Barrie Hopcroft, who needed 24 stitches in his hand, joined Kit Malthouse, deputy mayor for policing, in demanding urgent government action to create tougher legislation.

Mr Malthouse is calling for better control of “weapon” dogs and harsher penalties for those who keep dogs which are out of control.

He said: “How many more innocent people and pets need to suffer horrific attacks before the government realises this needs urgent action?

“I am asking everyone to sign this petition and back our call to tackle the problem of snarling ‘weapon’ dogs in London.

“Anyone using a dog as a weapon should feel the full force of the law.

“These animals are just as dangerous as a knife or a gun and should carry the same penalties.”

Mr Hopcroft was on a shopping trip in Elephant and Castle last July when his guide dog, Bailey, was attacked by a pitbull.

Bailey was left with four wounds in his shoulder and neck, while Mr Hopcroft sustained deep hand wounds while trying to defend him.

The owner of the pitbull then picked it up and fled onto a bus.

Mr Hopcroft said: “It was an horrific attack and the pitbull wouldn't let go. Even now, over a year later, Bailey is wary when approached by the same type of pitbull terriers."

Another victim, Munever Ibrahim, lost a Yorkshire Terrier named Chippie to a dangerous dog, which also bit her hand so hard that her fingers nearly had to be amputated.

The news comes after Battersea Cats and Dogs Home said it had to put down almost 3,000 dogs last year, many of whom had been trained to be aggressive by previous owners and could not be rehomed.

Mr Malthouse has started a petition which states: "Irresponsible dog ownership and dogs being used as weapons is an urgent and worrying issue that blights many neighbourhoods and parks.

"I back City Hall in calling upon the government to take immediate action to deal with the problem."

To sign the petition, visit www.london.gov.uk/dangerousdogs.