VICTIMS of dog attacks have welcomed plans to bring dangerous dogs to heel on Oxford’s largest estate.

The RSPCA, police and councillors will meet later this month to get to grips with new Government guidance on dangerous dogs.

The summit has been called following a string of incidents in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys over the past two years, where dogs either attacked people or were encouraged to attack and kill cats.

In July, the Government said police officers would receive specialist training to provide expert advice about dangerous dogs.

And, in October, the RSPCA began photographing dogs on the estate to eliminate them from future inquiries, and gave advice to owners about keeping dogs under control.

Leys and Lye county councillor Richard Stevens, who has organised the meeting, said residents were still living in fear of future attacks. Mr Stevens said: “There haven’t been any recent incidents, but the fear of the issue is still there. Dogs have become status symbols for certain people. They’re seen as a weapon.

“People are frightened not only for their own safety, but also for the safety of their own animals.”

He added: “I’ve convened the meeting to make sure we understand what each agency is doing and get to grips with what new Government guidance is saying.

“The approach is to make sure all the authorities work together to tackle the problem.”

Research by the Liberal Democrats found nearly 25,000 people nationwide, including 6,000 children under 10, needed hospital treatment after dog attacks in the past eight years.

Sharon Boaler, 55, of Primrose Place, Greater Leys, and her dog Charlie were attacked by a Staffordshire bull terrier in November 2007, in Gillians Park. Her husband Raymond, 59,was also attacked by a different dog, which then attacked a woman several months later.

She said: “The meeting is a good idea. When my husband reported the dog, the police came, took a statement and warned the owner, but I think they didn’t go far enough, because the dog went on to attack again.

“There needs to be tougher action against the owners. If an attack happens once, they shouldn’t be allowed to keep another dog. I lived in fear of that dog.”

Mother-of-three Nickie Campbell saw her family’s kitten, Kitty, killed by dogs near her home in Primrose Place, Greater Leys, in May.

The 23-year-old said: “They need to take tougher action. People need to go to prison if they do that.

“What if that had been a child who was ripped out of a pushchair? It’s the same situation, a baby can’t defend itself.”

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, who will attend the meeting, said it was vital tough and consistent action was taken on the issue.

Sgt Rob Axe, of the Blackbird Leys neighbourhood police team, welcomed the meeting.

He said there had been half-a-dozen reported dog attacks this year.

He added: “We’re interested in working with the RSPCA to see if there’s anything we can do to ensure what happened last summer doesn’t happen again.

Doug Davidson, RSPCA inspector for Oxfordshire, said: “I have been invited along to represent the RSPCA. It’s a good idea just so all the relevant agencies are up to speed on the law and the latest guidance.

“I will be interested to see what the outcome is locally.

“A multi-agency approach is the way forward. It’s not as if one agency can really deal with it. It’s the most effective way of dealing with the problem.”