A young woman's petition to tighten the laws on dog ownership has reached more than 23,000 signatures.

Bianca Humphrey, 27, from Shepway, in Maidstone, was inspired to start the campaign to crackdown on animal neglect after her own German shepherd provided precious love and companionship after she suffered a miscarriage.

The Claire's Accessories assistant manager was also moved after seeing a viral post on social media which showed two small dogs on chains in the snow, and made her realise current animal laws do not go far enough.

Miss Humphrey says her pooch, called Presley, "helped me through" after she suffered a miscarriage in May last year, which she described as the worst experience of her life.

She said: "I didn't want to leave the house, I didn't want to do anything, the fact I had to take her for a walk and things like that gave me a routine.

"Even when I was like 'leave me alone' she would have none of it, she would be right on top of me.

"I was just heartbroken, I described to people that as soon as you get your positive test you fall in love with them straight away.

"I feel like I lost a piece of me and she's trying her best to find it."

Miss Humphrey says she was inspired to start the petition as she couldn't imagine Presley being kept in the same conditions as the dogs in the social media post.

The retail worker's petition calls for new laws to be put in place, ensuring no animal is left outside in extreme temperatures for any longer than half an hour, and cannot be kept long term outside in these conditions regardless of outside kennel shelter.

She also believes dogs should either be in a secured garden but if tether are necessary for supervised exercise, the tether should be at least four or five times the length of the animal.

Finally, she wants the punishment for animal abuse to be stricter, in order for the crime to be taken more seriously and lifetime ownership bans always to be enforced when someone is found guilty of such abuse.

Currently it is not illegal to keep dogs outside on tethers, providing they have shelter, food and water.

The RSPCA says that dogs should not be tethered or chained, except for very short periods, as restraining a dog in this way can lead to injuries and also restrict normal behaviour.

Miss Humphrey says she understands some working dogs may need to be kept outside, but in that case they should have a kennel which is insulated and heated in case of freezing temperatures.

She has passed the petition on to her MP Helen Whately and hopes Mrs Whately will present it in parliament.

To view the petition, click here.

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