The Green Party would force Britons to hold a licence to keep dogs as pets should it win the next General Election.
Zack Polanski’s party intends to push the measure on more than 13.5 million British dog owners, policy documents on its website show.
Dog licences were axed in Britain in 1987, but all pooches have been required to be microchipped since 2013.
The Greens would establish a “two-tier” dog licencing system, with different rules applying to those who breed the animals.
The policy plan as listed on the Greens’ website reads: “The Green Party is opposed to the wholesale breeding, manipulation and destruction of those animals who are chosen as companions to the human race.
“We will introduce measures to regulate the care and conditions for such animals including a two-tier system of dog-licensing [breeding and non-breeding], licensing of all animal breeders and dog owners.”
Despite Britain scrapping licences almost four decades ago, Ireland has kept the requirement in place.
Dog owners on the Emerald Isle must pay a fee of £17 per year or one lifetime sum of £120.
All pooches in Britain have been required to be microchipped since 2013
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Meanwhile, the party has also backed measures to “abolish zoos” in Britain, along with all “private collections of animals”.
Under the plans, special licences would only be granted to rescue centres or to places which intend to breed endangered animals to be released back into the wild.
Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins launched a scathing attack on the policy, telling the Mail: “The Greens are barking mad for wanting to put dog owners on a very expensive lead and shut the UK’s highly-respected zoos.
“Zoos inspire millions of children about wildlife and do vital conservation work for endangered species.
THE GREEN PARTY – READ THE LATEST:
Zack Polanski’s party intends to push the measure on Britain’s more than 13.5 million dog owners
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GETTY“The Green killjoys want to throw this all away, while making dog ownership unaffordable. It’s a dog’s dinner of a policy.”
Dogs are by far the most-loved pet among Britons, with 36 per cent of households across the country owning at least one canine.
According to a survey conducted by Dogs Trust, 99 per cent of owners see their pet as part of the family and 89 per cent consider them to be a best friend.
Although a licence is not required to own a dog in Britain, it is needed in order to keep animals deemed “dangerous, wild, or exotic” as pets.
The party has also backed measures to ‘abolish zoos’ in Britain
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Animals which fall under the category include monkeys, cheetahs, wolves, kangaroos and crocodiles.
A spokesman for the Green Party said: “We are a nation of animal lovers.
“Our policies on the cost of living, NHS, public services and the environment are proving increasingly popular with voters.
“Our policies on improving animal welfare, we’re sure will prove just as popular.”
