Will my dog be put down for attacking a human?
DANGEROUS dog attacks appear to be on the rise amid several high-profile incidents this year.
Many UK pet owners have been left wondering where it leaves them in terms of the law. Here we outline what it states.
What does the law say about a dog attacking a human?
Since the Dangerous Dog Act was introduced in 1991, it’s been illegal for a dog to be "dangerously out of control" in public.
In 2014, the law was extended to include dog attacks on private property, including homes and gardens.
According to the , a dog is considered to be dangerously out of control if it:
- Injures someone
- Causes someone to have a "reasonable" fear they could be injured.
However, if your dog attacks an intruder in your own home then the law provides a defence.
Will my dog be put down for biting a human?
In most cases a dangerous dog will either be confiscated or destroyed following a serious incident.
If your dog’s breed is believed to be banned it will be destroyed.
The Sun has previously issued top tips on what to do if you are attacked by a dog.
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Could I go to prison if my dog attacks a human?
A varying number of penalties can be imposed on the owner of a dog that is "dangerously out of control."
They include:
- A permanent ban from owning a dog
- A control order
- An unlimited fine
- A prison sentence
The legal consequences of a dog attack will depend on the specific factor including whether the dog has attacked someone before or whether the dog was provoked.
It is used in conjunction with breed-specific legislation (BSL) that bans and restricts certain breeds labelled as "dangerous."
A person injured by a dog may also be entitled to claim compensation from the dog owner under civil charges.
What happens if my dog attacks another dog?
It is only an offence if your dog attacks an assistance dog.
However, if a person believes that they would have been injured – having intervened in a dog fight - then their fellow dog owner can be liable for civil proceedings.
Experts advise that if your dog is attacked by another dog, the incident should always be reported to the police.