Dangerous Dogs

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors – Dangerous Dogs

Offences involving dogs which are dangerous or out-of-control are dealt with under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 – Part 7 of which deals with dangerous dogs – and the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (Amended 2014).

The main change to the Dangerous Dogs Act involves prosecution for dog attacks on private property and land. This means if owners fail to control their dogs on their own property or in their homes and injury occurs as a result of a dog attack, an owner can be prosecuted.

If a dog attacks and there is little threat or injury to the public, police may not always prosecute, however.

It is vital to take legal advice as soon as possible, however, as dogs can be removed from their owners and held in a dogs’ home or destroyed.

If a dog is a banned breed, then it will also be removed from an owner.

In some cases involving dangerous dogs, there may also be charges brought under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. An owner may face allegations of neglect or cruelty, as well as charges relating to an attack under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

In cases where a dog has attacked an assistance dog – a guide dog or hearing assistance dog as defined by Section 173(1) of the Equality Act 2010 – the penalties may be particularly severe.

Prison sentence guidelines for dangerous dogs offences are:

• 14 years if a person dies as a result of their injuries
• 5 years where a person is injured
• 3 years where an assistance dog is injured (whether or not the dog dies).

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors regularly advise on dog law cases involving the Dangerous Dogs Act – and offer robust criminal defence services to those facing allegations of owning an out-of-control dog or a dog which is a banned breed.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors – Our reputation for excellence

The Duncan Lewis Crime Department is ranked in Legal 500 2014 for its General Crime and White Collar Fraud Work.

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers have acknowledged expertise in case building based on a sound knowledge of the criminal justice system – and the ability to assemble compelling evidence and documentation in criminal cases involving dog law.

Duncan Lewis represents clients at Police Stations, Magistrates’ Courts, Crown Courts, and at Appeal Courts such as the Court of Appeal.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors – When to contact us

Clients do not have to wait until they have been arrested to contact Duncan Lewis about any criminal charges – our team can advise from the initial stages of a police inquiry, or if it is likely a client may be arrested to face a criminal charge involving dangerous dogs.

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers can also advise on Civil Liberties matters such as wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and prisoners’ rights in custody – as well as advising on appeals against conviction or sentencing for convictions under the Dangerous Dogs Act or the Animal Welfare Act.

All Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors are highly trained and highly experienced – and are dedicated to offering the best criminal defence services to our clients at police stations, courts and prisons.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors – How to contact us

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – including more than 20 offices across London and the southeast and in all major cities across England and Wales.

A member of the Duncan Lewis criminal defence team can usually reach a client at a police station or court within 45 minutes to offer expert legal advice on all criminal charges and for police interview under caution.

We aim for the best possible outcome for clients facing charges involving dog law and dangerous dogs – call Duncan Lewis any time on 020 7923 4020 for expert legal advice.

For 24/7 help at a police station in England and Wales, call the Duncan Lewis Emergency Hotline on 020 7275 2036.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors – Legal Aid & Private Client –Dangerous Dogs

Duncan Lewis is a leading provider of Legal Aid criminal defence services – Legal Aid is means tested and may only be available in certain circumstances.

Duncan Lewis can advise further on Legal Aid at the initial client meeting.

In cases where a client may not be eligible for Legal Aid, Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors offer competitively-priced fee levels for private client representation – with fixed fees and advance notice of any costs whenever possible.

In some criminal cases, after the event insurance may be an option and Duncan Lewis will advise on an appropriate level of insurance to cover the potential costs of defending a criminal case and to pay any costs imposed by the court.

Call Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors to discuss dangerous dogs offences on 020 7923 4020.