The Tories have criticised the "ineffective" laws governing dangerous dogs and vowed to review legislation if they come to power.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Andrew Rosindell said there are more dangerous dogs in the UK now than ever before and blamed the increase in popularity of illegal dog fighting for putting the public at risk of an attack.

He said police resources needed to be better channelled to tackle the practice and ensure public safety.

And he said a future Tory government would carry out a review of the "ineffective" laws to ensure that the "liberating and rewarding experience of owning a dog remains so".

But during a Commons debate on Dangerous Dogs animal health minister Jonathan Shaw said changes in legislation were not necessary as current laws were "robust and proportionate". Instead he suggested police had not made full use of existing powers.

Mr Rosindell told MPs nearly 4,000 people had needed treatment for dog bites or related injuries last year - almost double the number four years ago.

He said: "I would like to see the subject elevated as a priority amongst local authorities and police forces, successfully communicating the harsh nature with which this crime must be dealt. This should include investment and promotion against the so-called sport' of dog fighting, increasing public awareness, and encouraging widespread clampdown on this issue.

"As with many other crimes, only by focusing on prevention and asking the public to participate as well as police-driven help, can we properly attack the root causes."

Mr Shaw rejected calls for more licensing of dogs and other tighter controls. "We believe this problem would be far better tackled through more effective enforcement of the existing law, ideally through local solutions," he said.

The Telegraph & Argus has called on ministers to toughen up the Dangerous Dogs Act, hastily drawn up after six-year-old Rukhsana Khan suffered terrible injuries when she was savaged by a pit bull terrier near her Bradford home in May, 1991.