We’re pleased to say that the new dangerous dog sentencing guidelines are now in force!
Owners of dogs dangerously out of control in England and Wales will now face tougher sentences under new guidelines that came into effect on 20th August 2012. The new guidelines include increased penalties.
The Government hopes the tougher sentencing guidelines will see fewer offenders discharged and more offenders jailed or given community orders. The new Sentencing Council\’s guidelines aim to encourage consistency in sentencing and give appropriate sentences for owners of dogs acting dangerously and causing injury to the public.
Trevor Cooper, legal consultant for the Dogs Trust, said: “These new guidelines will encourage courts to focus on the key factors of culpability of the owner and the amount of harm to the victim. This tougher approach should serve as a stiff reminder to dog owners to keep their pets under proper control and to behave responsibly.”
The new guidelines cover dogs dangerously out of control and causing injury in a public place or dogs dangerously out of control and causing injury or fear of injury in a private place where they are not permitted to be. The guidelines also cover possession, breeding, selling, exchange or advertising of a prohibited dog. The guidelines apply to all offenders aged 18 and older who are sentenced on or after 20th August 2012.
The guideline specifies offence ranges – the range of sentences appropriate for each type of offence. Within each offence, the Council has specified three categories which reflect varying degrees of seriousness. The offence range is split into category ranges – sentences appropriate for each level of seriousness. The Council has also identified a starting point within each category. Once the starting point is established, the court should consider further aggravating and mitigating factors and previous convictions so as to adjust the sentence within the range.
Dogs dangerously out of control and causing injury
Maximum: 2 years custody
Offence range: Discharge – 18 months’ custody
Dogs dangerously out of control and/or causing fear of injury
Maximum: 6 months’ custody
Offence range: Discharge – 6 months’ custody
Possession, breeding, selling, exchanging or advertising of a prohibited dog
Maximum: 6 months’ custody
Offence range: Discharge – 6 months’ custody
You can read about them and what the guidelines mean to owners or persons in charge of a dog in a public place by clicking this link: Dangerous Dog Offences – Definitive Guideline.