Owners face tougher sentences if their dogs injure or kill
New laws have come into force today as part of a Government crackdown on dangerous dogs. Owners will now face tougher sentences if their dogs injure or kill a person or assistance dog.
Some welfare charities have concerns that the new laws deal with the consequences rather than the cause of dog attacks.
Under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, jail sentences have been extended, meaning owners face a maximum of 14 years in prison if their dog kills somebody.
If a dog attacks and injures a person, owners can be jailed for up to five years, or three years if the dog injures or kills an assistance dog.
A further amend to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 means owners can now be prosecuted if their dog attacks on private property. Previously, the law only applied to public spaces.
An exception exists where a dog is dangerously out of control when a trespasser is in the house, or the owner of the dog believes the person to be a trespasser. Gardens are not covered by the exception.
Responding, the RSPCA has said the laws will not reduce the number of dog bites being treated in hospitals.
The Government will be looking at future dog bite statistics to determine the effectiveness of the new dog laws. However David Bowles, head of RSPCA's public affairs, said: "The new legislation doesn't prevent bites from happening. It merely provides a framework for a possible response to them once they have already happened."
However, the new laws have been welcomed as "extremely positive overall" by the Kennel Club, though it is disappointed that the Government has chosen not to repeal breed specific legislation.
The RSPCA, meanwhile, is calling for more focus on educating people about how to behave around dogs.
Recently released figures show that children under the age of 10 account for the highest number of hospital admissions through dog bites in the UK.
Mr Bowles commented: "Children often tend to cuddle and kiss dogs with very close facial contact, which a dog could find threatening. Therefore it is vital that parents and others teach themselves and children about dogs so signs that a dog is uncomfortable are recognised and acted upon."
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
