The British government is proposing mandatory microchips and third-party pet insurance for dog owners to make sure Fido isn't a threat to the public.

The government is trying to curb people from using their animals in violent attacks. While there is some public support for the idea, most opponents say it would penalize innocent pet owners and that criminals with violent dogs will ignore the law, according to the Associated Press.

“No doubt that some people breed and keep dogs for the sole purpose of intimidating others,” British Home Office Secretary Alan Johnson told reporters. “It is this sort of behavior that we are determined to stop.”

The microchip would help trace owners of dogs involved in attacks, while the insurance would help compensate victims injured in dog attacks, Mr. Johnson said.

Dog attacks have been on the rise in England and Wales, according to the U.K. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. DEFRA, which has asked for comments on the plan by June 1, also proposes extending the Dangerous Dogs Act to private property, noting that nearly 6,000 postal workers are attacked by dogs each year.

Most pet insurers offer third-party liability insurance to cover vet fees and emergency care. Several European countries already require dogs to have microchips, while parts of Switzerland and Germany require dog insurance.

“There is nothing that is preventative,” K9 magazine Chief Editor Mark O'Meara told the AP. “If you put a chip in a dangerous dog, the bite will hurt you just as much.”