The victim of a vicious dog attack has backed a city hall petition to toughen laws on dangerous dogs.

Crystal Palace mum Karen McGilloway was left scarred after a Staffordshire-pitbull terrier-cross clamped its jaws around her ankle as she jogged around Upper Norwood Recreation Ground in April.

She has now backed a public pledge launched by London’s deputy mayor for policing Kit Malthouse, which calls for stricter punishment for owners whose dogs are dangerously out of control or cause injury, and requests new legislation to allow police to seize a dog and prosecute an owner when an attack takes place on private land.

Mr Malthouse also believes owners who use pets as weapons should face the same sentences as knife attackers.

Mrs McGilloway said: “Something has to be done. But the important thing is to see any new laws enforced. Otherwise, irresponsible dog owners will continue to feel they are going to get away with it.”

To sign Mr Malthouse’s pledge visit www.london.gov.uk/dangerousdogs.