EVERY dog will have to be fitted with a microchip to make it easier to find and destroy dangerous breeds, following the tragic death of a Liverpool boy.

Dog owners could also be required to insure themselves against the risk of their pet attacking someone.

Ministers are also considering introducing New Dog Control Notices for misbehaving animals.

The government crackdown would also see the removal of loopholes that have allowed some owners to keep banned types of dogs with the permission of a court.

And the dangerous dogs laws would be extended to cover private property, to allow the victims of attacks – including postmen – to press charges, without having to pursue cases in the civil courts.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson ordered the rethink following the death of four-year-old John Paul Massey, who was mauled to death by his uncle's illegal pitbull terrier while staying at his grandmother’s house in Ash Grove, Wavertree.

Yesterday, Mr Johnson said: "Britain is a nation of animal lovers, but people have a fundamental right to feel safe on the streets and in their homes.

"The vast majority of dog owners are responsible, but there is no doubt that some people breed and keep dogs for the soul purpose of intimidating others, in a sense using dogs as a weapon. It is this sort of behaviour that we will not tolerate, it is this sort of behaviour that we are determined to stop."

Mr Johnson, a former postman himself, revealed he had been bitten twice while on his rounds – and would have been bitten a third time "had a heavily pregnant woman not rushed to my rescue".

However, the public will first be given a chance to have its say in a consultation, which means the proposed crackdown will be delayed until after the general election, expected in May.