According to the Dogs Trust stray dogs survey, a staggering 111,986 stray dogs were picked up by local authorities last year. That's over 300 dogs every day.

Council pounds have reached crisis point with record numbers of dogs being needlessly euthanised because of a chronic lack of space and resources. Rescue organisations can no longer cope with the sheer number of dogs in need of their assistance. 

Despite the introduction of the Dangerous Dogs Act in 1991, the number of hospital admissions from dog bites has risen year on year from 1,150 in 1990 to an alarming 6,317 in 2012.

If the dog situation in this country remains unregulated, things are only going to get worse – not to mention more expensive.

The current laws don't work

We believe that creating a culture of responsibility among dog owners is the only way to tackle this problem. The current provisions in law are not adequately addressing the issues we face. 

The following changes would not be expensive to implement, but would make a big difference to the way dogs are bred, homed and cared for in our communities:

* Compulsory microchipping forces dog owners to take responsibility for their dogs' behaviour and training. Incidents of biting, straying or causing accidents can be traced to an irresponsible owner, and fines or prosecution can follow.  Lost dogs can be quickly reunited with owners and owners can be traced in the cases of abused or abandoned dogs.

* Restrictions on breeding are needed to address the sheer number of unwanted dogs in the UK. All breeders should be licensed or registered with their local authority. Income from sale of puppies must be declared and taxed accordingly. Penalties may include fines and compulsory neutering orders on unlicensed breeders who constantly re-offend.

* Dogs must be required by law to be kept on a lead on the public highway with on the spot fines for non-compliance. Off lead dogs on the public highway pose a risk not only to themselves, but their owners and road users should a dog run into the road. 

* No minors in charge of dogs in public places – children do not have the physical ability or maturity to control a dog and it is the adults responsibility to be in charge of a dog.

* End anonymous advertising – require all owners wishing to rehome their dogs to pay a nominal fee for advertising. Transaction data will create a permanent record of advertisers.

* Education is crucial if we want young children to learn how to be safe around dogs. Imagine a cycling proficiency test style course for how to behave around dogs.

* Neutering and home-checking at council pounds would ensure no further unwanted dogs are produced, and establish prospective owners suitability before releasing any dog. These two measures would cumulatively reduce numbers of dogs returned to pounds year on year.

* Repeal the Dangerous Dogs Act & Breed Specific Legislation because it doesn't work. The money invested in these laws is wasted where it could be put to measurably more effective use by targeting owners instead of their dogs.

This petition was written by a panel of highly experienced trainers, behaviourists, rescue workers