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Charity criticises 'dangerous dog' stereotypes

Pre-existing stereotypes on how aggressive various dog breeds are not always valid, the Blue Cross said yesterday.

Notorious breeds such as pitbull terriers and rottweilers are generally much harder to find insurance for.

Pet insurance cover is taken out by some dog and cat owners as a form of protection against high vet bills, should the animal become involved in an accident.

Figures released by Saga earlier this week showed that, in some cases, medical care could cost in the high four figures - and that even a cat being injured in a road accident carried an average bill of £700.

A spokesperson for Blue Cross, an animal welfare charity, said: "No breed is automatically aggressive - the behaviour of dogs as they grow older is very much determined by their environment."

"[People should] judge dogs on an individual basis, very much based on their upbringing rather than their genetics."

Figures cited by MP Norman Baker last week, who is campaigning for the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act to be reviewed, showed that injuries from attacks on humans increased by 43 per cent last year.

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