Dangerous dogs offences guideline

The dangerous dog offences definitive guideline comes into force in all courts on 1 July, 2016. It applies to all offenders aged 18 or over who are sentenced on or after that date, regardless of the date of the offence. It covers offences where a dog injures or kills a person, where it injures an assistance dog or where someone possesses a banned breed of dog. This guideline replaces the dangerous dog guideline issued by the Council in 2012, which became out of date following changes to legislation.