A DOG attack victim has welcomes new dangerous dog laws, but said it remained to be seen whether courts would take advantage of them.

The Sentencing Council today publishes proposals for how courts should sentence people convicted of dangerous dog offences, in line with tough new laws that increased the maximum jail sentence from two years to 14 for offences where someone is killed by a dangerous dog, and from two years to five where a person is injured by a dangerous dog.

Chris Hirst (pictured), 64, of Tyersal, had to have his right arm amputated after he was attacked by an American bulldog in Bierley.

“It boils down to the magistrates when it goes to court,” he said.

“It will be interesting to see what does happen when the law comes into force and the first person is taken to court.”

Mr Hirst welcomed the extension of the law to cover attacks on private property.

“If you are attacked by a dog it shouldn’t matter where you are. I was just doing my job when I was attacked. A dangerous dog like that should be tied up and muzzled."