and Arj Singh
Hackney’s dangerous dogs problem has been left to fester for so long that it is now among the worst in London.
Controversial Government proposals announced this week have received cross-party backing in the borough.
Hackney is in the city’s top three areas for dog removal, according to the Metropolitan Police’s Status Dogs Unit.
Compulsory insurance and microchips for all dogs – so owners can be traced – were among the government plans revealed by home secretary Alan Johnson on Monday.
Political backing
Politicians, experts and residents agree that the issue has reached breaking point in the borough.
Meg Hillier, Labour MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, said: “Dangerous dogs are a very big concern of mine. Over the last year and a half it has become a bigger issue. My constituents have been feeling intimidated.”
Hackney Tories have backed the government despite opposition from their party’s head office. Nick Herbert, shadow environment secretary, labelled the plans a “dog tax”.
Councillor Harvey Odze said: “It is a very big issue. Hackney has a larger problem than some places; it comes up frequently with my constituents.
“Families with young children and elderly people complain of feeling intimidated by dangerous dogs.”
Mr Odze said he would welcome compulsory insurance, as long as it was backed up with microchipping. He was joined by Hillier.
Many have suggested that so-called ‘status-dogs’ are being used for protection.
A Met Police spokeswoman, Samantha Harris, said: “There has been an increase in people acquiring illegal dogs and dogs being used in gang-related crime, drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.”
More than 1,000 dogs have been seized by the Met’s Status Dogs Unit since its launch in March last year.
“There are definitely people who use dogs as a status symbol, or even a weapon,” said Mr Odze.
