'Too many out of control dogs in Manchester. It's time owners were licenced'

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

They are the shocking new figures that reveal the extent of Greater Manchester's problem with dangerously out of control dogs. Data obtained exclusively by the Manchester Evening News shows that in the last twelve months, GMP has been called to nearly 1,500 dog attacks across the region. Campaigners and experts have now repeated calls for mandatory dog licences to be reintroduced - which would place restrictions on who could own a dog. It comes after a number of horrific dog attacks in the last year, including the death of a three-year-old boy in Rochdale and a loving dad in Wigan. Daniel Twigg, a 'caring little boy' who 'loved dogs' was mauled outside a property on Carr Lane in Milnrow on May 15 last year.

He died in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest. A Cane Corso dog was destroyed at the scene of the tragedy, and ten other dogs were seized by police.

None of the animals were banned breeds, an inquest opening previously heard. GMP are still investigating the case, and so far no charges have been made.

Police previously arrested a man under the Dangerous Dogs Act before he was released on bail. Earlier this year, Jonathan Hogg, a 37-year-old father, also suffered fatal injuries after being attacked by a dog, believed to be an XL bully type.