TIGHTER controls on dogs were today called for in Felixstowe after a councillor was bitten by a loose pet and concern was voiced over the growing problem of fouling.

TIGHTER controls on dogs were today called for in Felixstowe after a councillor was bitten by a loose pet and concern was voiced over the growing problem of fouling.

Town and county councillor Graham Newman needed hospital treatment after he was attacked by a dog which was off its lead.

Mr Newman was visiting an address in Longfield, Felixstowe, when he said a dog went “absolutely berserk” and bit his leg.

He said: “I was on the doorstep making a delivery when this dog, which was not on a leash, ran along the road and into the garden of the property and bit me.

“I had to go to hospital to have it seen to because I was worried about infection.

“I hate to think what the consequences would have been had my seven-year-old daughter been with me - she would have been scared stiff and might have ended up seriously mauled.”

Mr Newman, who had also been bitten in the stomach by another dog on a previous occasion, believes tighter controls on dogs need to be considered - although he realised it would be controversial.

“I know there are many conscientious owners who keep their dogs under control and clear up the excrement they leave.

“We need to have full consultation if changes were to be made to ensure we get balanced opinion,” he said.

Town councillors have agreed to investigate and look at the matter.

Should there be more controls on dogs on Felixstowe's streets and beaches? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk