Compulsory third party dog insurance looks like becoming a reality if plans unveiled by the UK government today get the nod Simply Pet Insurance can reveal.

Measures set out by Alan Johnson, the Home Secretary, will make microchipping of dangerous dogs and third party dog insurance the law in a bid to protect us from the growing menace of so called ‘status dogs’.

According to official figures dog attacks have risen 12 fold in the past five years and the government is keen to stamp them out.

Speaking about the dog insurance plans he said: “Britain is a nation of animal lovers, but people have a fundamental right to feel safe on the streets and in their homes.’

“The vast majority of dog owners are responsible, but there is no doubt that some people breed and keep dogs for the sole purpose of intimidating others.”

The package of measures will also include compulsory dog insurance for all to ensure that anyone attacked by a dog receives compensation.

Any owner not taking out such cover through a site like Simply Pet Insurance would receive a fine.

Much of the legal framework stems from the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, which used to be held up as an example of the poor quality of legislation passed by MPs in haste but has actually proved a resilient and useful law over the past 19 years.

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