Owners of killer dogs face 14 years in jail Government proposals could see huge increase in maximum penalty for failing to control dangerous pets. Owners of dogs involved in a fatal attack face up to 14 years in prison under government plans published on Tuesday. The proposals, announced by the environment secretary, Owen Paterson, would also introduce a maximum jail term of five years for owners if a person is injured by their dog. The plans are a significant toughening of the current law, under which the maximum penalty owners face for aggravated attacks by their pet is two years in jail and/or an unlimited fine. But the penalties could have been even more severe. In an online consultation over the summer, which found 91% of respondents in favour of increasing maximum sanctions, the government had asked whether owners of dogs who killed a person should face the prospect of life imprisonment. In a written statement, Paterson said that the government had compared the existing penalties with those for other offences, specifically causing death by dangerous driving, which is currently punishable by up to 14 years in jail, and causing actual bodily harm, which carries a maximum five-year prison sentence. Sixteen people have been killed in dog attacks since 2005, while more than 6,000 needed hospital treatment between 2010 and 2011. The family of Jade Lomas-Anderson expressed anger earlier this month after the woman who owned the four dogs that killed the 14-year-old was given a suspended sentence. The government also plans a maximum jail term of three years for owners whose dog kills or injures an assistance dog, which Paterson said reflects the devastating effect such an attack has on the assisted person. The proposals were welcomed by the Communication Workers Union, which represents the largest number of dog attack victims in the UK – 5,000 postal workers are attacked each year – and charities assisting the blind and partially sighted. CWU general secretary Billy Hayes said the changes would send a powerful message to dog owners that they will be held to account for attacks. Guide Dogs chief executive Richard Leaman said the withdrawal of a guide dog after an attack could leave its owner bereft of confidence and reluctant to leave the house. He added that each dog cost £50,000 to breed, train and support during its working life. Guide Dogs has long campaigned for tougher sanctions against irresponsible dog owners, said Leaman. Its clear that the vast majority of respondents to this survey agree and we are pleased the government is listening – though we would have liked to see a longer maximum sentence for a crime of this brutality. The changes will be introduced to the antisocial behaviour, crime and policing bill, currently making its way through parliament and could come into force next year. They continue a tougher stance towards dog owners by the government. The coalition had already announced that it would extend the offence of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control to private property and that all dogs in England would have to be microchipped by April 2016. The Welsh government has set a deadline of March 2015. Animal welfare minister Lord de Mauley said: It is right that the punishments of those who allow their dog to kill or injure people or assistance dogs are proportionate to the horrendous impact dog attacks can have. Were toughening up laws to ensure that anyone who owns a dangerous dog can be brought to justice, regardless of where an attack takes place. There will be an exemption from prosecution for householders whose dogs attack trespassers. theguardian/uk-news/2013/oct/29/dangerous-dogs-penalty-14-years
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 09:58:28 +0000
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