A HOLYROOD committee has criticised the SNP's failure to review dog control legislation in the face of ongoing attacks.

Jenny Marra, convener of the Public Audit and Post legislative Scrutiny Committee, said the lack of progress was "unacceptable". 

The committee urged the Scottish Government to undertake an urgent review of all dog control legislation in 2019. 

It followed "harrowing testimony" from the families of children attacked by dogs and medical professionals tasked with providing emergency and reconstructive care. 

Ms Marra, a Labour MSP, has now written to SNP community safety minister Ash Denham to express the committee's frustration "at the pace of the Scottish Government’s progress to address the extremely serious issue of out of control and dangerous dogs".

She said the issue was first debated in the Scottish Parliament on May 8, 2018, when there was "cross-party consensus for the need for robust action". 

Ms Marra added: "Unfortunately, nearly three years on from that debate, a high level of dog attacks continue to be reported, and the probability exists that a significant number of further attacks remain unreported.

"During its post-legislative scrutiny of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010, the committee received harrowing testimony from the families of children attacked by dogs, from those attacked in the course of their employment and from medical professionals providing emergency and reconstructive care in the aftermath of these attacks. 

"As a result of this evidence, the committee recommended in its 2019 report that the Scottish Government undertake a comprehensive review of all dog control legislation as a matter of urgency.

"The committee notes that you have put the matter forward for the Scottish Government’s legislative programme for the next parliamentary session. 

"The committee further notes your commitment that if the SNP are in Government, this issue will be taken forward early in the next session. 

"However, the committee considers unacceptable the apparent low level of priority the Scottish Government has given to the committee’s recommendations, particularly given the impact on public safety.

"It is unfortunate that the committee’s work will now be left to be taken forward in the next session of Parliament. 

"The committee recognises the need to legislate comprehensively to ensure that a new framework for dog control legislation is fit for purpose. 

"However, the committee is clear that the legislative and non-legislative changes recommended in its report, must be driven forward as a priority in order to protect children and adults from what are often life changing attacks."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Working with justice agencies and local authorities, we are determined to keep Scotland’s communities safe from irresponsible dog owners and their out of control dogs.

"A range of action is underway to support operational agencies including a Scottish Government established working group progressing key issues with Police Scotland and local authorities. 

"We are also currently consulting on possible options for reform of dog control legislation, primarily looking at the offence of a dog being dangerously out of control under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

"We are minded to progress development of changes to dog control legislation in the next session of Parliament. 

"A decision on whether to progress legislation will of course be made by whichever administration is in Government after the next Scottish elections and in light of other legislative priorities.”