Consultation outcome

Dangerous dogs: maximum prison sentences for dog attacks

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 6 August 2013
• Last updated: 29 October 2013 — See all updates

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Summary of responses

PDF, 150 KB, 4 pages

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Detail of outcome

The consultation included an online survey which was completed by 3,180 people and organisations. A number of organisations sent written representations.

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Original consultation

Summary

Consultation on whether the punishment for an owner whose dog kills or severely injures a person, or their assistance dog, should be increased.

This consultation was held on another website.

This consultation ran from
6 August 2013 to 11:45pm on 1 September 2013

Consultation description

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.

Published 6 August 2013
Last updated 29 October 2013 + show all updates

1. 29 October 2013

   Published summary of responses.

2. 6 August 2013

   First published.