The petition to change the status of police dogs so that people who attack them face more severe charges is being debated now in Westminster Hall at the House of Commons.

The petition is being backed by retired police dog handler Mark Tasker, guide dog user Sean Dilly and Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland.

The petition was begun after the stabbing of police dog Finn and his handler PC Wardell earlier this year in Stevenage.

It has now received more than 122,000 signatures with the greatest number anywhere in the UK coming from Stevenage.

At the moment an attack on a police dog is treated as a charge of criminal damage and the petition seeks to change that to make it the same as an attack on a person.

Ahead of the debate, the government issued an official statement in response to the petition saying any change in the law would be unnecessary.

But Mr Tasker said the Home Office has indicated in recent days that it views the petition positively and is considering a completely new law for working animals.

Click here to watch the story: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/b5f5b55e-3d6c-45f8-94b9-4411c366e114