The Kennel Club, which registers dog breeds, has also backed calls to focus on the actions of owners rather than the breeds of dogs.
Dr Ed Hayes, head of public affairs at the Kennel Club, said: “This research is extensive and we, alongside dog experts, welfare organisations and vets, hope the Government repeals breed specific legislation based on this evidence, and carries out a full review of existing dog control laws, which are failing dogs, owners and victims of attacks.
“Clearly the UK’s breed specific legislation is deeply flawed – it places a misguided focus on how a dog looks and demonises certain breeds, while diverting attention away from their behaviour, temperament, and importantly, their owner’s actions and conduct.”
The 1991 act was considered to have been rushed in after public outcry over the mauling of six-year-old Rukhsana Khan.
That same year, MPs banned the keeping of four fighting dog breeds, which are still illegal to own today.
Despite this, biting and deaths from biting still occur annually, with many incidents from dog breeds not on the list.
Labradors most likely to bite
A 2016 study found that labradors are the dogs that most commonly bite – though researchers conceded this could also be because they were one of the most popular breeds to keep as pets.
However, no death from a labrador bite has been recorded.
A police officer who contributed to the study said bites were usually the fault of owners’ inappropriate attitudes towards their pets rather than the breed of the dog.
The officer said: “I have a lot of dog owners who have never owned a dog before. And all of a sudden, they’ve got a dog and they’re not understanding how they should be controlling it. A lot of people down here use this horrible phrase of ‘fur babies’. It’s their fur baby and they treat it [like] a child.”
Another added: “I don’t think it’s dangerous dogs, it is ill-informed owners and a lot of my dog bites come in from people who have not got a clue about dog training.
“Quite a few of my dog bites come in from dogs that have been rescued from other countries.”
Another recommendation from the report is a searchable register of problem owners, available to all dog rehoming charities and breeders, so they could refuse adoption or sale.
A spokesman for Defra said: “Dog attacks can have horrific consequences, which is why it is a criminal offence to allow any dog – not just banned breeds – to be dangerously out of control.
“Defra has published research which examines measures to reduce dog attacks and promote responsible dog ownership. We welcome this report, and its recommendations will provide the basis for consideration of further reform in this area.”
