BACK in the 1980s, dog licences cost just 37p. They might as well have not bothered.

If something even slightly positive can be hauled from the tragedy of the death of Ava-Jayne Corless, it must surely be a review of this country’s dangerous dog laws.

Any dog can change in a second and, if owners are not on their guard, the outcome can be horrific, as Monday night’s events have shown.

The legislation was last updated in 1991, barring a few changes in 1997, but since then there has been a proliferation in the number of people who keep pit bull-type dogs as pets.

This, coupled with the fact there have been 17 deaths and hundreds more seriously injured due to dog attacks since 2005, means the whole situation needs looking at urgently.

Under the 1991 Act, it is illegal to own any specially controlled dogs without specific exemption from a court. The dogs have to be muzzled and kept on a lead in public.

However, many of these tragic attacks are happening in homes up and down the country, strengthening the case further for tighter controls and special training for owners. It also reopens the debate for dog licences.