For the first time ever sentencing guidelines have been published for those who have been convicted of dangerous dog offences in England and Wales.

It has been estimated that it costs the NHS more than £3 million a year to treat injuries caused by dogs.

The Dangerous Dogs Act came into force 20 years ago and in 2010 more than 1700 people were prosecuted over dangerous dogs. Furthermore the amount of people who were sentenced for dangerous dog offences rose between 2009 and 2010 from 855 to 1192.

The Sentencing Council have published these new guidelines in the hope that this will ensure that there will be consistent and proportionate sentencing. However these guidelines are not to be used for people who deliberately use their dogs to attack. This is because these attacks should lead to prosecutions for assault or serious violent crimes.

The Council said there shoud be a wide degree of discretion and that the starting point of sentencing should be a community order with the maximum sentence being 2 years.

Furthermore the Council have also established that for the lesser offence of possessing a banned dog there should be a fine with only the most extreme case requiring a jail sentence.

It has also been stated that unless it can be satisfied that the animal will not pose a risk to the public through muzzling and controlling at all times then the court should order the dog’s destruction.

There has been an increase in the amount of dog bite admissions to hospitals, from May 2010 to April 2011 there were 6120 admissions for dog bites which is an increase from the previous year of 5810.

We act for a number of clients who have suffered an injury from a dog bite.

If you have been the victim of a dog attack you may be able to make a claim. It is important that you get independent expert legal advice, preferably as soon as possible from one of our specialist lawyers.

If you think you may have a dog bite claim, contact our specialist personal injury lawyers for immediate advice. Call Actons Solicitors free on 08081 355 355 or click here to start your claim now.