Life sentences for dangerous dog owners backed by Postwoman

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Life sentences for dangerous dog owners plan backed by Blackburn postwoman

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A POSTWOMAN who has twice been attacked by dogs has welcomed the government’s consultation on tougher penalties for owners of dogs that cause injury.

Currently, dog owners can be sent to jail for a maximum of two years if their pet attacks a member of the public.

But the government is seeking views on whether people would be in support of longer sentences for owners of aggressive dogs.

If an online petition gains enough support, the owners of dogs involved in fatal attacks could even face life in prison.

Blackburn-based postwoman Nicola McGlynn, 50, needed hospital treatment on both occasions, once for a bite to her leg, and then when a finger was severed.

She said: “I do support the proposals, very much. If dogs run wild I think the owners should be held responsible.There have been a few cases of children being attacked, and I think where children are concerned, for their sakes there should be life sentences.

“You always see it on the news and it does frighten you to see dogs off their leads. I support what the government is doing but I do think they should have done it a long time ago.”

Across the UK, more than 2,400 postmen and women were attacked by dogs between April 2012 and April 2013, including 150 in the North West.

Royal Mail recently held the UK’s first Dog Awareness Week to raise the profile of dog attacks on the Royal Mail’s postmen and women and appeal to dog owners keep animals under control.

Nicola, who is a health and safety representative for Royal Mail and lives in Rishton, suggested that making people aware that a dog lives at a premises is a key part of responsible dog ownership.

She said: “If there’s no sign up and you go in and the dog is in the garden, you struggle. People should at least have signs up.”

The consultation will run until September 1. To take part, visit http://www.gov.uk/government/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; news/dangerous-dogs-tougher-penalties-for-irresponsible-dog-owners.

[Sidley]

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