At full council the Labour group successfully passed a motion aimed at dealing with dangerous dogs.

Residents, particularly pensioners and those with children, had expressed real concern about this so it was helpful that the Guardian ran a number of stories highlighting this serious issue.

Most dog owners are sensible, caring and responsible. But the RSPCA has reported an increase in dogs used as ‘weapons of intimidation’. A total of 258 patients were admitted with dog bites to Whipps Cross Hospital in 2008/9; an increase of almost 20% from 2006/7. Our motion called for an investigation into the possibility of animal wardens working closely with the police to tackle this issue.

This is in the interests of the dogs themselves, which are often mistreated to make them malicious, as well as of the safety of children, vulnerable people, and others who are afraid . This is about taking our streets back.

Cllr Afzal Akram,

cabinet member for community safety, enforcement and protection

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