Dangerous dog offenders face harsher punishments

Banned breed: Dogo Argentino

Owners convicted of dangerous dogs offences will face harsher punishments under new sentencing guidelines in England and Wales.

The guidelines come into force from July and reflect changes to the law that increased maximum sentences.

The Sentencing Council said sentences were "likely to be higher than in the past" but must be "proportionate".

A council member said some irresponsible owners' dogs "put people at risk of injury and... even death".

Changes in 2014 raised the maximum jail sentence for a fatal dog attack from two years to 14.

The amendments to the Dangerous Dogs Act also extended the law to include attacks which happen on private property, and introduced a new offence of attacks on assistance dogs such as guide dogs.

The changes to the sentencing guidelines cover offences where a dog injures or kills a person, injures an assistance dog, or where someone possesses a banned breed.

The banned breeds are:

• Pit bull terrier
• Japanese tosa
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Braziliero

Those in charge of a dangerous dog where a victim died would be deemed to have "high culpability", with sentences ranging from six to 14 years.

Other factors where an offender is deemed to have "high culpability" include the dog being used as a weapon, being trained to be aggressive or where someone has a banned breed.

Those who are already disqualified from owning a dog will also face the toughest penalties.

The same factors will also be used to assess blameworthiness in cases where a victim is injured.