A BOLTON MP has launched a bid to make the registration of dogs compulsory for all owners following the tragic death of 14-year-old Jade Lomas Anderson.

Julie Hilling, MP for Bolton West, has been a vocal campaigner for tighter dog control laws after the death of the Atherton teenager, who was savaged to death by four dogs in a neighbour’s home last year.

If made law, Ms Hilling’s bill will see a reintroduction of dogs licences, which would see owners register their pets for a fee.

The original British dog licensing system was scrapped in 1988, after it was estimated less than half of owners complied with the law.

But Ms Hilling said a return could lead to more responsible dog ownership – and present deaths like Jade’s in the future.

Her campaign has been backed by Jade’s stepfather Michael Anderson, while at Jade’s inquest earlier this year coroner Alan Walsh said he was in favour of a return for licencing.

Introducing her bill in Parliament, she said: “Clearly, if we are to prevent dog attacks we need to tackle the situations that create dangerous dogs.

“Taking a puppy away from its mother at too young an age before it is properly socialised is a major problem and I know honourable friends have previously attempted to introduce legislation to deal with the issues of irresponsible breeding, importing and selling of dogs.

“Owners need to choose the right dog for their living environment and not have too many dogs in a household.

“They need to ensure that their pets are properly fed and exercised – the owner of the dogs that killed Jade could not remember when she had last exercised the dogs.”

Under Ms Hilling’s proposals, income from registration would be used to fund the enforcement of conditions and penalties imposed on those owning and controlling dogs.

She added: “For those that argue licensing or registration don’t work we need to look to other countries — 23 European countries and Australia and New Zealand have dog licensing or registration.

“Doubter argue that it is a tax on good owners and that irresponsible owners will not pay. We do not accept that argument for good drivers and irresponsible drivers, or responsible workers and irresponsible workers.

“We ensure that everyone pays and if they don’t pay we take enforcement action.”

Ms Hilling’s bill will have a second reading in the House of Commons on Friday, January 9, 2015.