Lancaster bull mastiff attack suspect in court
A man has appeared before magistrates in Lancaster charged under the recently-amended Dangerous Dogs Act.
Gary Deegan, 49, of Granville Road, Lancaster, is charged with allowing a dog to cause injury in a private place.
A 54-year-old woman suffered a broken arm and severe cuts in the attack by a bull mastiff on 13 May, the same day amendments to the act, allowing tougher penalties, came into effect.
Mr Deegan will appear at Preston Crown Court on 3 September.
Under the amended Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, allowing a dog to cause injury can now be punished by up to five years in prison.
Previously, the same charge carried a maximum jail term of two years.