VICIOUS dogs will be neutered, muzzled, and fitted with conspicuous collars while their owners will have to take out third-party indemnity insurance, under laws proposed yesterday.
The legislation - aimed at protecting the public from 'dogs which are vicious and biters' - follows the mauling to death of eight-year-old Liu Wing-yan by a Great Dane in Sheung Shui in January.
Three serious dog attacks have been recorded since July.
Under the proposals, dogs will be classified according to potential danger.
Breeds which have been declared inherently dangerous by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, such as the pit bull terrier, will be banned from the territory.
'Any dog which has bitten someone would have these laws apply to it. This is to control dogs which present a potential problem,' said department director Dr Lawrence Lee Hay-yue.