New dangerous dog guidelines come into effect
New guidelines on sentencing for dangerous dog offences have come into effect; however, concerns still remain that recent Government proposals to update flawed dangerous dog legislation fail to include genuinely preventative measures.
The new guidelines, issued by the Sentencing Council, will help to ensure that courts are able to use their full power when dealing with irresponsible owners who allow their dogs to be dangerously out of control. Guidelines, which include injuries to other animals in terms of the offence of allowing a dog to be out of control, have also been extended.
The Sentencing Council’s new guidelines will further ensure that the penalties for owning a banned breed will now be applied to owners of dangerous dogs of any kind, making it easier for offenders to be banned from keeping dogs, for genuinely dangerous dogs to be put down, and for compensation to be paid to victims of dog bites. In addition this will mean more offenders will face jail sentences and community orders.
This is a step in the right direction in reforming current flawed dangerous dog legislation, but there are concerns that these measures alone will not fully protect the public from incidents involving dangerous dogs as they are reactive rather than preventative.
For more information on the Sentencing Council’s guidelines for dangerous dog offences, please click here.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
