The Telegraph & Argus in Bradford has launched a campaign for changes to be made to the Dangerous Dogs Act.

The paper says the act, which was drawn up in 1991, was rushed through Parliament, and that horrific dog attacks are continuing to happen because of a series of legal loopholes.

The T&A is calling for the Government to ensure that compulsory registration for all dogs is introduced rather than the current system which limits it to certain breeds, and that all dogs are microchipped.

It is also demanding mandatory life bans from dog ownership for anyone convicted of having a dangerous dog, a record of control orders on every dog's registration, and the introduction of a specific offence of allowing a dog to stray.

The campaign is being backed by Rukhsana Khan, now 21, who was the victim of a dog attack 15 years ago.

She talked exclusively to the Bradford newspaper about the terrifying ordeal she suffered when she was thrown around like a rag doll in the street by a raging pit bull terrier.

It took a group of men using bricks and sticks to beat the dog off her before she could be taken to hospital suffering from more than 30 wounds.

T&A editor Perry Austin-Clarke said: "In recent months we have covered a spate of dog attacks and the message which kept coming back to us was that the law just wasn't good enough to allow dog wardens and the authorities to ensure that owners take proper responsibility for their dogs, keep proper track of them and, if necessary, take enforcement action.

"The Home Secretary needs to realise that the current law is doing little to prevent horrific attacks by dogs.

"The fact that Rukhsana has broken her lengthy silence to add her voice to our campaign adds serious weight to our message."

The campaign has also won the support of Bradford Council and local MPs, and hundreds of readers have already signed a petition, calling for changes to the law, which will be presented to the Home Secretary.