THE number of dangerous dogs seized by police in Lancashire has gone up, new figures reveal.

Police have reported a rise in the number of dogs seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act, including banned breeds, and those that att-acked people and other pets.

Animal charities have call- ed for ‘drastic changes’ to dangerous dog laws ahead of changes set to be enf-orced tomorrow, which will make it possible for owners to be prosecuted for dog attacks on private property.

It follows the death of 14-year-old Jade Anderson who was savaged by four dogs, believed to be two bull mastiffs and two Stafford-shire bull terriers, as she visited the home of a friend, near Wigan, in March last year.

Lancashire Constabulary is among a large number of forces nationwide that rep-orted a rise in the number of dangerous dogs seized last year, with 118 seized in 2013, up from 116 in 2012. Breeds banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act include any pitbull types, Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasileiro and Dogo Argentino.

Hyndburn and Hasling-den MP Graham Jones said more needs to be done to tackle dangerous dogs.

He said: “It has become fashionable for young adult males who do not have much hope in life, and who can often be aggressive, to own aggressive dogs. They lead disfunctional lives and, I sometimes wonder, if they are not capable of looking after themselves, how they can look after these animals.

“It does not surprise me that the numbers of dogs being seized have gone up.

“We have got to revisit the issue of dog ownership.

“It is a shame for the dogs as they are brought up to be aggressive and, in the end, they are being destroyed, and that is really sad.”

The Dogs Trust said it had been arguing for ‘drastic changes’ in dangerous dog laws, and claimed that oth-er legislation did not go far enough to tackle irresp-onsible dog owners.

A spokeswoman added: “There is a clear need for a fundamental overhaul of dog legislation.”