Pitbulls should be extinct. The breed was developed for one purpose only, violent attack. There is no shortage of other breeds on the Kennel Club register.

The pitbull genetic strain should simply have been faded out.

At the time of the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, it was understood that this was exactly the plan, exactly. No more pitbulls would be bred in the British Isles, and imports would be banned.

It has taken the terrible tragedy of five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson, killed by her uncle's pitbull, to show up the hollowness of the act.

It is now clear that the original legislation was watered down under the pressure of lobbying.

The remaining provisions have been widely flouted.

Essex has witnessed no tragedy like Ellie's, but we still owe it to her to demand stronger legislation.

Next time round the law must get it right, by reining in not just the dangerous breeds of dog, but also the truly dangerous animals - the people who breed and train man's best friend to become a vicious aggressor.

A model father?

At just nine years old, south Essex child actor Albert Valentine has joined the likes of Superman and Spiderman.

An action figure has been made of the Empty Child, the character he played in Doctor Who.

Albert should make sure that he hangs on to one or two of these toy figures, ready for when he's a dad himself.

It could come in handy if he's busy and the children say: "Daddy, we want to play a game with you."