Dog owners have been warned they risk losing their council home if they do not control their pet.

Wandsworth Council's leader, Edward Lister, is also calling for a new licensing system - including a minimum age for keeping a dog - to deal with the problem of irresponsible ownership.

The new licences would require stringent tests preventing those deemed unsuitable from owning a dog.

He said: "We have a 24-hour phone line and we are sending out a strong message on housing estates that if you - or a family member - has a dog that is out of control you could end up losing your home.

"But it's all very time-consuming and involves many hours of collaborative working between different agencies. We need sharper powers if we are to tackle this problem proactively."

Coun Lister added: "A risk-based approach to dog ownership would identify those animals for which a licence would be necessary. It could include, for example, all types of bull terrier - going beyond the very narrow list covered by the Dangerous Dog Act.

"Crucially it would also look at who was owning and controlling the dog. In our experience in Wandsworth most of the problems are with animals owned by young people aged 13-17.

"There should be a minimum age for ownership. You could add a fit and proper person test which would weed out many other unsuitable types. The critics might say this would be as unworkable as the current legislation or as irrelevant as the old licence system. That would be giving up before we've started.

Last month yourlocalguardian.co.uk reported a string of savage dog attacks in the Dover House Road are of Putney had left residents fearing for their safety.

According to residents the attacks caused the death of two pets.

And police confirmed they were forced to shoot one of the attacking dogs on October 21.

Anyone who wants to report a dog problem to Wandsworth Council should call 020 8871 7532.