Owners of killer dogs may face life sentences in jail

The owners of dogs that kill could face life in jail

By Nicole Hamer |

12:53 06 August 2013

The Government are looking at proposals surrounding dogs, and in regards to the proposals it could mean that an owner of a dog that kills could face life imprisonment.

However, based on reports, a life sentence may not end up being decided on. As mentioned by The Telegraph in one report, a 14 year sentence could be one possibility. Whereas the BBC says in one report that the sentence could be from 7 years to a life sentence.

David Bowles, who is head of public affairs at the RSPCA, said ‘preventive measures’ are needed.

“Unless you solve this problem of people not being able to control their dogs properly then I still think you're going to see a rise in dog attacks and dog biting," he said when speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

He said that they “welcome the Government’s intention to increase sentencing,” when speaking to the show.

“But unfortunately what the Government is doing here is focusing on the after-effect of the attack.”

Mr. Bowles said: “We believe if you want to drive down dog bites and improve people’s control of dogs, you need to have some sort of preventive measures.”

It is understood there is a government consultation where citizens can express what they feel should be the sentence when it comes to owners of dogs that kill.

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.”

He explained that laws are already being toughened up to make sure owners of dangerous dogs “can be brought to justice, regardless of where a dog attack takes place”.

Lord De Mauley said: “It's crucial that the laws we have in place act as a deterrent to stop such horrific incidents.”

At present the sentence for the owner of a dog that injures a person can be up to two years in jail. The Government has made the outcome for owners of dogs that are dangerously out of control that injure others tougher. There have been calls from some however for a look at the sentence.