If I had my way, these crimes would be handled in the following manner: the punishment would fit the crime. Always. No exceptions.
I have a rescue dog, actually I gave him to my granddaughter, but he is the sweetest thing and was abused as a puppy. We have had him three years now and he still has some affects of his puppy hood(certain types of men he will growl at, though he has never tried to bite them, luckily I am not of that type!), but he is obviously very trusting of us. Half black lab, half German short hair.