New sentencing guidelines

In England and Wales, the Sentencing Council issued new sentencing guidelines for incidents involving dangerous dogs in May 2012. Under the new guidelines, issued under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, owners of dangerous dogs who fail to stop their dog harming others should face at least six months in jail. Where convicted of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control, judges should consider a prison sentence of up to 18 months. The guidelines also recommend that courts should order a dog’s destruction, unless there is proof that it cannot harm again. Information about the new guidelines is available from the Sentencing Council website at: http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk/docs/Dangerous_Dog_offences_scenarios_-_web.pdf