A HYNDBURN councillor who was attacked while canvassing in Accrington has called for an amnesty over dangerous dogs.

Coun Brian Roberts needed eight stitches after being bitten in the groin before a by-election in the summer.

He has now called for police to step in and organise an amnesty for people who own dangerous dogs to hand over the animals without any repercussions.

In the last six months wardens have captured 13 dangerous dogs in the borough.

The calls from the Tory councillor came after a five-year-old girl was killed by a "pit bull-type" dog in St Helens.

Ellie Lawrenson died of severe head and neck injuries after being mauled last week.

Coun Roberts said: "A few months ago I had a nasty experience when I was attacked by a dog and at the time many people thought it was funny.

"But it was a very distressing experience and I think that now is the right time to raise the issue and highlight the dangers that some dogs pose."

Coun Roberts was bitten by an alsatian-type dog while knocking on doors in Spring Hill, Accrington, but said that if the animal had targeted a child the consequences could be much more serious.

He said he now wants to see a scheme launched in Hyndburn where owners of dangerous dogs can "come clean" to the police and the dogs can be taken away.

In Church in December three men were attacked by a "wolf-like" dog near a playground in Kirk Street.

Police cleared people from the street and blocked the road before capturing the labrador/ Japanese akita cross.

And in Hapton nine-year-old Nicola Dalby was left scarred after she was bitten in the face by a bull mastiff dog in the summer.

Following the death of little Ellie there has been a debate on the effectiveness of the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act which imposes conditions on the ownership of four types of dog.

Under the Act, the owner of an illegal dog can face a £5,000 fine as well as a six-month prison sentence.

The Act places the responsibility for a dog's actions on its owner.

Four breeds of dog are identified as dangerous - the pit bull terrier, the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brazileiro, none of the which is a recognised breed in Britain.

It has been difficult to prove that a dog is "genetically" on the banned list.

But the Act makes clear that legislation applies to all dogs known as that particular breed and not just the "pure" form.

Would a dog amnesty work in East Lancashire? What should be done about dangerous animals? Submit your comments below.