THE Government's proposal to impose a tax for dog owners will 'penalise law-abiding dog lovers', says the MP for West Devon and Torridge.

Geoffrey Cox has expressed concerns about the proposals for a 'dog tax', which would mean all dog owners would have to pay for compulsory third party insurance to be allowed to own a dog. The tax would apply to all dogs, including poodles and chihuahuas and owners would face fines or criminal sanctions for breaching the requirement.

Mr Cox said: 'As always, Gordon Brown sees tax as the solution to every problem. His plans for a dog tax will penalise more than 15,000 law-abiding dog lovers across the region and do nothing to target irresponsible dog owners.

'I fear this will hit the poorest homes the hardest.'

Mr Cox said the Government had admitted that this dog tax may result in more stray dogs and greater pressure on dog rescue centres.

In practice, the dog tax would not affect the owners of the most dangerous dogs as the Dangerous Dogs Act already bans the ownership and the sale of fighting dogs like pit bull terriers. It is possible for dogs to be exempted from the ban, but owners must have their dogs neutered, muzzled and obtain third party insurance.

Mr Cox believes owners of dangerous dogs which are already illegal are unlikely to take out such insurance as they will just continue to defy the law.

'We need tougher laws against the growing problem of dangerous dogs being used in acts of violence, but it is a sledgehammer to crack a nut to impose a dog tax on a poodle.'