More than half the dogs killed after being seized by police have not harmed anyone, new figures have revealed - prompting calls for urgent reform of the legislation.

Figures reveal for the first time that the majority of dogs destroyed after being seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act, which bans breeds such as pit bull terriers and Japanese tosas, had not exhibited any dangerous behaviour or been involved in any incident with the public.

The latest available figures show that in 2015/16 a total of 307 dogs were destroyed after being seized, but that 175 of these (57 percent) would be widely regarded as “innocent”.

Indeed the vast majority of dogs seized during that period - 599 out of a total of 731- had not attacked anybody or showed dangerous intentions. Yet owners face a long and expensive legal fight to try and get their pets back.

The figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, have prompted animal welfare charities to denounce the Dangerous Dogs Act as a blunt instrument which allows police to seize and destroy dogs simply because they belong to a banned breed, not because they have done anything wrong.

And they say it ignores the potential danger posed by dogs that are not banned, lulling the public into a false sense of security about other breeds.