MPs will debate calls to ban dog lovers from keeping Staffordshire Bull Terriers following campaigning by animal rights group PETA.

The charity wants to see Staffies added to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, which would make it illegal for people to own them without a special exemption.

The charity says they are the ‘most commonly abandoned breed’ and the one most likely to be ‘abducted and used by criminal gangs for fighting rings or as guard dogs’, Stoke on Trent Live reports.

PETA says it doesn’t want Staffies removed from ‘loving homes’, and any legislation should allow spayed or neutered dogs to remain in their homes for the rest of their lives, provided they are well cared for.

But dog owners are concerned Staffies could be outlawed – and many families forcibly separated from a treasured pet.

More than 180,000 people have signed a petition, calling on the Government to keep Staffies out of the Dangerous Dogs Act.

How many people have signed the petition in your area 450 405 360 315 270 225 180 135 90 45 0 Signatures ◼ Bath: 179

Bath: 179 ◼ Bridgwater and West Somerset: 428

Bridgwater and West Somerset: 428 ◼ North East Somerset: 334

North East Somerset: 334 ◼ North Somerset: 266

North Somerset: 266 ◼ Somerton and Frome: 357

Somerton and Frome: 357 ◼ Taunton Deane: 365

Taunton Deane: 365 ◼ Wells: 341

Wells: 341 ◼ Weston-super-Mare: 389

Weston-super-Mare: 389 ◼ Yeovil: 340

Mary Cliffe, who runs New Buildings Farm Boarding Kennels – and regularly looks after Staffies, including dogs rescued by the Senior Staffy Club – said: “The ones we have are really nice.

"They are probably more human-friendly. Some of them don’t like other dogs. But the ones we have are normally very gentle.”

Dog walker Ray Embleton said: “I don’t think they should be on the dangerous dogs list.

"It depends on how they are brought up. There’s nothing wrong with the breed. I know a lad who’s got a Staffie which plays very nicely with my dogs. Staffies are usually quite soft.”

The Westminster Hall debate has been triggered by the petition, which was set up by Steven Quinn.

He said: “Many people in the UK today have the pleasure of owning a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. As one of these people, I can recommend them as being loving, loyal and caring.

"Far from dangerous, they are great companions.

"It would be a terrible tragedy for the dog lovers of the UK to lose the right to own one of these great companions. We are calling on Parliament to save our Staffies and not have them banned.”

(Image: Getty)

The Dangerous Dogs Act already covers the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasilerio.

As well as it being illegal to own those dogs without exemption, the breeding, sale and exchange of them, and cross breeds, is also banned.

PETA submitted its views as part of a consultation launched by the Commons’ environment, food and rural affairs select committee. The committee is currently reviewing the law on prohibiting certain types of dogs and will be making recommendations to ministers.

A Government spokesman said: “The Government has no intention of prohibiting the keeping of Staffordshire Bull Terriers."

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But in a statement on its website, PETA says: “Staffies are currently flooding UK animal shelters and have become by far the most commonly abandoned breed of dog in the country.

“They’re also one of the most abused – in fact, the RSPCA has confirmed that 80 per cent of its cruelty-to-animals prosecutions concern Staffies. The breed is also the most likely to be abducted and used by criminal gangs for fighting rings or as guard dogs.

“Given how vulnerable these dogs are to abuse, neglect, and abandonment, why would anyone fight the introduction of legislation that would prevent people from bringing more of them into a world that treats many so cruelly?”

Have a story? Get in touch by email at jillian.macmath@reachplc.com or on Twitter @Jillian_MacMath.

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