The House of Representatives has passed the Dogs Liability for Attacks law. It was passed with  17 amendments on Tuesday.

The legislation provides protection for citizens against dog attacks that occur in communities, on the road, or when members of security firms use the animals to assist in the management of public spaces.

It follows several vicious attacks on members of the public, the latest incident occurred on Sunday when a 5-year-old boy was mauled by a pack of 5 dogs in St Ann.

The attacks over the years led to an outcry for the 1877 act to be amended, as it had no provision for criminal sanctions for negligence on the part of persons whose dogs attack or injure members of the public.

The bill proposes fines ranging from 500 thousand dollars to 3 million dollars, or imprisonment from six months to 15 years. Civil liability can be incurred if the dog causes injury in any place other than its home or where it is normally kept.

Justice Minister, Delroy Chuck, has appealed to dog owners to properly secure their premises in order to ensure that the animals do not pose a threat to members of the public.