Kenny MacAskill gives backing to introduction of 'dog Asbos'

But he said the Scottish Government did not expect "thousands and thousands" of new dog control notices to be issued if the legislation is passed.

Nationalist MSP Christine Grahame is hoping to change the law on the control of dogs to try to curb irresponsible owners.

Her member's Bill proposes to bring in dog control notices, dubbed "dog Asbos", which will allow councils to impose restrictions on owners who do not control their pets.

She also wants to change the law so that action can be taken against dog owners if their pet is dangerously out of control in any place, including their home.

Ms Grahame told MSPs: "Currently if a child is attacked in the dog's home, where it is permitted to be, the owner can not be held legally responsible unless the dog is of a banned breed. Clearly this wrong."

Mr MacAskill agreed: "That is a gap in the law that I think we recognise has to be addressed. Currently a dog owner is only liable if their dog is dangerously out of control in a public place. We think it is right dog owners are held accountable for their dogs both in public and private, and we welcome this change.

"We believe the creation of a dog control notice regime will help encourage dog owners to take responsibility for the actions of their dogs."

Concerns have been raised that councils may need to take on extra staff if the legislation is passed, with some local authorities worried about the costs involved.

But Mr MacAskill said Dundee City Council bosses said they could absorb the costs of implementing the Bill.

"It does seem to us that if Dundee can deal with matters then surely other local authorities should be capable of addressing it within the current resources.

"Our position is that the new dog control notice regime is designed to be a preventative regime. We don't expect thousands and thousands of dog control notices to be issued every week."