AN MP is fighting to change the law on dangerous dogs after a three-year-old boy died following an attack.

Dexter Neal, from Ronald Road, Halstead, was attacked by an American Bulldog at a friend’s house in Parker Way three weeks ago.

He later died at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. His cause of death is not yet known.

Now Halstead’s Conservative MP James Cleverly wants to change the Dangerous Dogs Act to reduce these type of attacks.

He said: “I’ve had a brief private meeting with the Home Secretary about the tragic attack in Halstead.

“I will also meet with Andrea Leadsom, the cabinet minister for environment and rural affairs about the Dangerous Dogs Act.

“The initial legislation was rushed in response to a tragedy, and I’m not going to rush my response to this one.

“I will work with dog charities and owners groups as well as the police and government to come up with ideas."

Mr Cleverly confirmed ministers agreed with advice from police that the ban on owning a Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentina or Fila Braziliero should remain in place.

In a statement posted after the tragedy, Mr Cleverly said he was sympathetic to calls to remove the breed specific element of the legislation, as any medium to large breed could cause harm.

A woman, 29, arrested on suspicion of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control and injure a person, will answer police bail next month.

The dog was seized by police and remains in kennels.