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| Dog attacks to be punished with longer jail terms for owners | Dog attacks to be punished with longer jail terms for owners |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Tougher penalties have come into force for dog owners in England and Wales who allow their pets to attack people. | Tougher penalties have come into force for dog owners in England and Wales who allow their pets to attack people. |
| The maximum prison sentence for allowing a dog to carry out a fatal attack on a person has increased to 14 years from two years previously. | The maximum prison sentence for allowing a dog to carry out a fatal attack on a person has increased to 14 years from two years previously. |
| Allowing a dog to cause injury can now be punished by five years in prison, up from a previous maximum of two years. | Allowing a dog to cause injury can now be punished by five years in prison, up from a previous maximum of two years. |
| The changes follow the killing of a six-day-old baby and 11-month-old infant by dogs earlier this year. | The changes follow the killing of a six-day-old baby and 11-month-old infant by dogs earlier this year. |
| Animal welfare minister Lord de Mauley said: "Dog attacks can have horrific consequences for victims and families and it is only right those responsible should face tough punishments. | Animal welfare minister Lord de Mauley said: "Dog attacks can have horrific consequences for victims and families and it is only right those responsible should face tough punishments. |
| "Irresponsible dog owners will not only face longer prison sentences, but will also be liable for prosecution regardless of where an attack takes place, even in their own home. | "Irresponsible dog owners will not only face longer prison sentences, but will also be liable for prosecution regardless of where an attack takes place, even in their own home. |
| "This will give protection to those who provide vital services in the community - postal workers, nurses, utility workers - as well as people visiting family and friends." | "This will give protection to those who provide vital services in the community - postal workers, nurses, utility workers - as well as people visiting family and friends." |
| Training classes | Training classes |
| For the first time, the Dangerous Dogs Act also includes a specific provision to protect assistance dogs such as guide dogs from attack. | For the first time, the Dangerous Dogs Act also includes a specific provision to protect assistance dogs such as guide dogs from attack. |
| Owners found guilty of allowing an attack on an assistance dog could be jailed for up to three years. | Owners found guilty of allowing an attack on an assistance dog could be jailed for up to three years. |
| New preventative powers will allow the police and local authorities to send owners to dog training classes and require dogs to be muzzled in public. | New preventative powers will allow the police and local authorities to send owners to dog training classes and require dogs to be muzzled in public. |
| Guide Dogs chief executive Richard Leaman said: "An attack on a guide dog can be devastating. It can rob someone with sight loss of their independence and freedom, leaving them virtually housebound. | Guide Dogs chief executive Richard Leaman said: "An attack on a guide dog can be devastating. It can rob someone with sight loss of their independence and freedom, leaving them virtually housebound. |
| "We're delighted that irresponsible owners can now be given tougher sentences if their dog attacks an assistance dog. | "We're delighted that irresponsible owners can now be given tougher sentences if their dog attacks an assistance dog. |
| "With an average of 10 guide dogs being attacked every month, we're looking to the police to fully use their new powers to protect vulnerable people from these sometimes life-changing attacks." | "With an average of 10 guide dogs being attacked every month, we're looking to the police to fully use their new powers to protect vulnerable people from these sometimes life-changing attacks." |
| Dee McIntosh, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home's director of communications, said: "We believe if more people understood how to care for and be around dogs, there would be far fewer tragic incidents. | Dee McIntosh, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home's director of communications, said: "We believe if more people understood how to care for and be around dogs, there would be far fewer tragic incidents. |
| "Dog attacks tear apart our communities and affect how we feel about pets and specific dog breeds. | "Dog attacks tear apart our communities and affect how we feel about pets and specific dog breeds. |
| "Any dog, no matter what size or breed, can attack a child, adult or another dog. Training and caring for an animal, and being able to clearly read a dog's body language, are the only ways to help provide safety for the likely victims of attacks, especially children." | "Any dog, no matter what size or breed, can attack a child, adult or another dog. Training and caring for an animal, and being able to clearly read a dog's body language, are the only ways to help provide safety for the likely victims of attacks, especially children." |
| Pulled from pram | Pulled from pram |
| Six-day-old Eliza-Mae Mullane, from Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire, was pulled out of her pram and killed by her family's pet in February this year. | Six-day-old Eliza-Mae Mullane, from Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire, was pulled out of her pram and killed by her family's pet in February this year. |
| Days later, 11-month-old Ava-Jayne Corless was attacked and killed by a pit bull terrier in Blackburn. | Days later, 11-month-old Ava-Jayne Corless was attacked and killed by a pit bull terrier in Blackburn. |
| In another case, which took place in May 2013, 79-year-old Clifford Clarke from Liverpool was mauled to death in his own garden by a bull mastiff cross that had escaped from its owners' care. | In another case, which took place in May 2013, 79-year-old Clifford Clarke from Liverpool was mauled to death in his own garden by a bull mastiff cross that had escaped from its owners' care. |
| At the trial of the dog's owners earlier this month, Liverpool Crown Court heard that Mr Clarke was attacked when he opened his back door after cooking to air the kitchen. | At the trial of the dog's owners earlier this month, Liverpool Crown Court heard that Mr Clarke was attacked when he opened his back door after cooking to air the kitchen. |
| Have you ever been attacked by a dog? Has your dog ever attacked anybody? If you are willing to speak to the BBC you can email your experiences and views to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject title 'Dog Attack' |