London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Jun 21, 2025

Dog attacks: 34% increase recorded by police in England and Wales

Dog attacks: 34% increase recorded by police in England and Wales

The number of dog attacks recorded by police in England and Wales has risen by more than a third in the past five years, a BBC investigation has found.

Last year, there were nearly 22,000 cases of out-of-control dogs causing injury. In 2018, there were just over 16,000.

The UK's dog population is estimated to have risen by only 15% in that time.

Police say they've seen more reports of dangerous dogs as a result of specific work by specialist officers.

The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) says forces across the UK have been focusing on attacks.

The BBC's findings are based on 37 responses to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests made to all 43 police forces.


Dogs which cause death or injury to a person or an assistance dog must be recorded by police - but other incidents, for example a dog attacking another animal, or nuisance and anti-social dogs, don't have to be. As a result, these may not be included in the FOI figures.

It was also not possible to include comparable data for Scotland and Northern Ireland.


'The bite was millimetres from my eyes'


Lily-Blu Whitehurst, from Congleton in Cheshire, was left with facial injuries after she was bitten by a dog in September 2021. She had been at a friend's house when the family's English bull terrier lunged at her.

"I was sat on the sofa next to the owner. Their dog was lying across my lap. I moved forward because it was heavy and it just attacked," says the 18 year old.

The bite fractured Lily-Blu's nose and she needed 28 stitches in hospital.

"The bite was millimetres from my eyes. One cut was across my eyelid. I couldn't open one of my eyes for about two weeks and my forehead swelled up. A year on, one eye still can't fully close."

Lily-Blu was out of school for two and a half months


The BBC's FOI figures suggest reported dog attacks may have grown at about twice the rate of the number of new pet dogs.

Estimates vary - but an annual survey by the vet charity PDSA says there has been a nearly 15% increase in dog numbers UK-wide - up from 8.9m in 2018, to 10.2m in 2022.

Lily-Blu missed two and a half months of school while she was recovering.

"I was four months off turning 18. I was going out and it was awful. Because I didn't look the same any more," she says. "I think it will continue to have an effect on me for the rest of my life."

The owner of the dog that attacked her pleaded guilty in court and was fined £700. The dog was then subject to restrictions - including having to wear a muzzle when it left the house and being placed in a cage when visitors came round.

Lily-Blu and her dog Buster


Lily-Blu has two pet dogs herself - including Buster, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. She says they have helped her realise she doesn't need to be fearful.

"I know how to act around dogs. I've had dogs all my life. It's helped me to realise that not all dogs are like that."


More dogs seized


The number of dogs removed from their owners by police has also risen, according to the FOI data obtained by the BBC. Nearly 3,500 dogs were seized in 2022 across 33 force areas - up 36% from 2018 figures.

Most are because animals are deemed "out of control" - but there are other reasons. For example, some might be strays or taken from people about to go into prison.

"It's busier than we've ever known," says Paul Jameson, a specialist dog legislation officer for South Yorkshire Police. He says there has been anincrease in dog numbers since the time before Covid.

"Some have not been socialised as much as dogs would have been before - in terms of puppy training or training classes. Or being used to people coming to the home address. That can impact upon the dog and create stress."

He adds: "Having seen the effects of these dog attacks, I make no apology for seizing dogs where there is a risk."

There have been two fatal dog attacks so far this year. A dog walker was mauled to death at Caterham in Surrey in mid-January. A few weeks later a four-year-old girl was killed by a family pet in Milton Keynes.


'I lost a finger'
Sarah King was bitten while delivering mail in Rotherham


Postal worker Sarah King had her finger bitten off while delivering letters in Rotherham in January 2022.

"I was doing a round I was unfamiliar with. The dog had managed to get its snout right into the letterbox. He heard me coming down the path. There was no noise," she recalls.

"It was a cross between a Rottweiler and a Shar Pei. It was a big dog - a clean bite. There was blood everywhere."

Sarah needed several surgical procedures and now has a prosthetic finger.

"A year down the line and I'm still suffering. It still hurts and is very numb.

"I didn't go out for a long time. I'm still seeing a counsellor. I have flashbacks."

Sarah now has a prosthetic little finger on her right hand


The owner of the dog was charged and pleaded guilty. He was given a six-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £2,000 in compensation.

Sarah thinks all dog owners should put up warning signs outside their homes - and have either a separate external letterbox, or a cage for mail attached inside the front door.

Dr Rachel Casey - director of canine behaviour and research at the animal welfare charity, Dogs Trust - says dog aggression normally happens because of anxiety or worry.

"Their ears might go back and their body posture changes. Owners need to be able to identify these signs."

She says if someone wants to get a dog, they should get one that suits their lifestyle - rather than just because they like a particular breed.

In its statement to the BBC, the NPCC sought to reassure members of the public worried about a rise in dog attacks.

"Incidents can often be very alarming, but I want to reassure people that we are taking the matter seriously and we are cracking down on those who own or breed dangerous dogs," said Deputy Chief Constable Robert Carden.

"We continue to ask members of the public who know of dangerous dog ownership to contact police on 101 or in an emergency always call 999."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
×