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Whilst the rest of the UK listened to the dreadful (and thankfully rare) account by a Northern Ireland mother of a fox attack on her twin baby girls in East London, Assembly members were debating the no less serious (but rather more common) matter of attacks by dogs. The Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew told MLAs that dog attacks are running at more than 700 per year. Her Dogs (Amendment) Bill deals with licensing, and the control of dogs which attack people, livestock or other dogs.

Ms Gildernew told MLAs that 11,000 stray or unwanted dogs were impounded in 2008 - in the same year 3,500 animals were destroyed.

Although the politicians recognised the frightening nature of dog attacks, especially on children, there were some lighter moments. The minister pointed out that four candidates were mauled during the recent Westminster election, as were a number of party workers, including some of her own helpers in Fermanagh. Responding, Ian Paisley Junior said he'd never been bitten by a four legged dog on the campaign trail but had been mauled by other politicians. However, he implied, their bark had turned out to be worse than their bite. Now whoever did he have in mind?

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