[nagdu] UK: Owners of killer dogs may face life: Crackdown after 16 fatal maulings in eight years

[Ginger Kutsch]

UK: Owners of killer dogs may face life: Crackdown after 16 fatal maulings
in eight years

•Owners of killer dogs could face life in prison, according to a new
proposal

•At the moment there is a maximum of two years inside

•Some 16 people have been killed by dangerous dogs since 2005

August 6, 2013

By Daniel Martin

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2385048/Owners-killer-dogs-face-life
-Crackdown-16-fatal-maulings-years.html

The owners of killer dogs could face life in jail under proposals put
forward by ministers.

 

Sixteen people have been mauled to death since 2005, but the law states dog
owners can only go to prison for a maximum of two years.

 

Ministers have now launched a public consultation as to whether owners
should face jail terms of up to ten years if their pet injures someone and
life for a fatal attack.

 

Higher sentences for irresponsible owners who allow their dogs to attack
members of the public have been put out to consultation by the Government

Killing or injuring a guide dog could also attract a maximum penalty of ten
years.

The move comes months after Jade Anderson, 14, was killed by four dogs while
visiting a friend near Wigan.

 

Every year dogs are responsible for 210,000 attacks – around 6,000 of which
lead to hospital visits.

 

The Government said it would introduce new measures to tackle out of control
dogs

The CWU union representing postmen and telecoms engineers – who suffer 5,000
attacks a year – welcomed the move, pointing out that at present some owners
are fined just £100 if their dog attacks.

General secretary Billy Hayes said: ‘Current sentencing arrangements do not
match the serious nature of offences. 

 

 

‘This consultation is very welcome and hopefully indicates the Government is
serious about tackling the problem of irresponsible dog ownership.’

The consultation was launched yesterday by the Department for the
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Members of the public will be asked their opinion on the severity of
punishments, with recommendations put forward in the Anti-Social Behaviour,
Crime and Policing Bill.

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

‘It’s crucial the laws we have in place act as a deterrent to stop such
horrific incidents.’

Last month Jade Anderson’s parents, along with the parents of four-year-old
John Paul Massey – who died after his uncle’s pitbull attacked him in 2009 –
presented a petition to Downing Street calling for David Cameron to take
action to prevent more attacks.

 

Four-year-old John Paul Massey was killed by a dog in a house in Wavertree,
Liverpool

In February the Government said it would introduce new measures to tackle
out of control dogs by changing the law to ensure irresponsible owners can
be prosecuted regardless of where their dog attacks.

But David Hanson, Labour’s policing spokesman, said: ‘The Government’s
proposals on dangerous dogs are weak.

‘As the victims of dog attacks, select committees, the RSPCA and the British
Veterinary Association have made clear, the Government should legislate for
“dog control notices” which would give local councils and the police the
powers they need to make sure owners are responsible and dog attacks are
stopped.’ 

 

Crime prevention minister Jeremy Browne said: ‘Dog owners who fail to take
responsibility for their dogs must be held accountable.

‘This Government is taking urgent action to protect the public from out of
control dogs. We are changing the law so owners can be prosecuted for
attacks on private property and our anti-social behaviour reforms will give
police and local agencies more effective powers.’

A report published in June  by the charity Guide Dogs revealed attacks by
other dogs on guide dogs are at an all-time high of ten a month.

A total of 240 attacks were reported between March 2011 and February 2013.