Owners of killer dogs could face 14 year prison terms in Britain

Owners of dogs who attack and kill someone could face the same penalties as reckless drivers who cause a death, British officials say. A government proposal would raise the current punishment of a possible two years in prison to 14 years, The Daily Telegram reported Tuesday. That would be the same maximum sentence as for a person convicted of death by dangerous driving. The current penalty was instituted earlier this year after a 14-year-old girl was attacked and killed by five dogs. The dog's owner was not punished because the attack occurred on private property. "We're toughening up laws to ensure that anyone who owns a dangerous dog can be brought to justice, regardless of where an attack takes place," animal welfare minister Lord de Mauley said. The proposal could affect anyone whose dog "nips, bites or barks" at someone. Dog owners could face five years in prison if someone is attacked and injured by an animal or three years in prison if a service animal is killed. At least 200,000 people are bitten by dogs each year in England, costing the government healthcare program about $4.8 million annually.