The sentencing council have recommended stiffer sentences for any dog owners who allow their dogs to be dangerously out of control i.e. bite any member of the public.The new guidelines which are to come into force on the 20th August 2012 provide for custodial sentences to be imposed on the owner for periods of between 6 to 18 months notwithstanding the other penalties that the Court can impose such a destruction of the dog.