UK to require would-be dog owners to take competency tests

Owners of all breeds would be required to take out third-party insurance in case their pet attacked someone, and get a microchip inserted in their animal containing their name and address, reports the Daily Mail.

Critics say the responsible dog owners would be punished by the tougher regulations and higher costs, while careless owners of dangerous dogs would just ignore the measures.

They added that responsible dog owners might have to cover the costs of controlling a small number of dangerous dogs that are lurking around in abandoned areas.

A government source said the proposals, contained in a confidential document headed Consultation On Dangerous Dogs, have been drawn up by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra).