The Dangerous Dogs Act applies to any dog that is dangerously out of control in public, in private or in a home. The definition of 'dangerously out of control' in the Act is:
- If a dog injures someone or
- If a dog makes someone worried that it might injure someone
- If a dog attacks another dog or
- If the owner of a dog thinks it is going to attack another dog
There are stiff penalties for a dangerously out of control dog and these depend on the severity of the incident. There is a penalty of up to six months in prison and/or an unlimited fine for a dog that is dangerously out of control.
If a dog injures you whilst it is dangerously out of control, its owner could be sent to prison for up to five years with an unlimited fine. If a dog kills someone whilst it is dangerously out of control, the owner can face up to fourteen years in prison, along with an unlimited fine.
Any dog found to be dangerously out of control will be destroyed unless the Court is convinced that the dog does not pose a danger to the public.