Gangs are using dangerous dogs as status symbols - and even weapons Every dog owner in the UK would have to take out insurance against their pet attacking someone under government proposals to tackle dangerous breeds.Police and local councils could also get new powers to force the owners of dangerous dogs to muzzle them or even get them neutered. Ministers say they are responding to public concern about vicious dogs being used to intimidate or threaten people. Each week, more than 100 people are admitted to hospital after dog attacks. There has also been a reported rise in levels of dog fighting and illegal ownership, particularly by gangs who are using dangerous dogs as status symbols. The government wants to amend the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, under which four types of dogs - the pit bull terrier, the Japanese tosa, the dogo Argentinos and the fila brasileiros - are banned. It wants to tweak the law so that the breeds are banned from people's homes - rather than simply from public property, as is currently the case.[Read more...]