Dangerous dogs: maximum prison sentences for dog attacks
Consultation on whether the punishment for an owner whose dog kills or severely injures a person, or their assistance dog, should be increased.
We are seeking your views on whether the penalties for dog owners are severe enough where dogs attack and cause serious or fatal injuries.
This could mean that irresponsible dog owners who allow their dogs to attack members of the public, or assistance dogs, might face longer jail terms in future.
Currently the owners of dangerously out of control dogs can only be sent to jail for a maximum of 2 years. The consultation seeks views on whether the maximum punishment for an owner whose dog kills or severely injures a person, or their assistance dog should be increased and what the maximum sentence might be.
The government will consider the responses and may propose increases in the sentences. If so, we will do this in the next stage of the Anti-social behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill which contains amendments to the Dangerous Dogs Act. These measures form part of the government’s plans to clamp down on dangerous dogs.