Tougher penalties for irresponsible dog owners

As part of government plans to clamp down on dangerous dogs, the public are being given the chance to have their say about whether dog owners should be given harsher sentences when their dogs attack and cause serious or fatal injuries.

Sixteen people have been fatally attacked since 2005 but the owners of dangerously out of control dogs can only be sent to jail for a maximum of two years.

Those with strong views on the subject have until 1st September to make them known, via the Defra website. Recommendation will then be put forward in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill.

Animal welfare minister, Lord de Mauley, says: “Dog attacks are terrifying and we need harsh penalties to punish those who allow their dog to injure people while out of control.”