Increase in dangerous dog reports

Dear Resident

The team would like to make residents and specifically owners of dogs (and to an extent other pets such as cats) aware of an increase in reports related to dangerous dogs and dog attacks in the area. Its important that residents take the necessary precautions in order to ensure the safety of their pets. It is unfortunate that there is yet another issue to worry about in our day to day lives, especially the safety of our beloved furry friends, but considering the circumstances this is something that has to be raised for public awareness. For new pet owners (specifically dog owners) please ensure that these pets are suited to your lifestyle and that proper training and socialisation are put in place to avoid future issues for yourselves, other owners of pets, the pets themselves and other wildlife. 

Below is some information for dog owners:

There is evidence of an increase in dangerous dogs and dog attacks in the UK, with police recording a 21% rise in offences of out-of-control dogs causing injury in England and Wales in 2023 compared to 2022. This increase is attributed to factors such as the rise in dog ownership during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to more dogs being poorly socialised and trained by inexperienced owners, and a general lack of understanding of dog behaviour and aggression. 

Key Statistics and Trends

Police forces in England and Wales reported a significant rise in offences of out-of-control dogs causing injury, with a 21% increase in 2023 compared to the previous year. 

Hospital admissions for dog-related injuries have almost doubled, from 4,699 in 2007 to 8,819 in 2021/22. 

The number of fatal dog attacks has also increased dramatically in recent years. 

Contributing Factors

A surge in dog ownership during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in many people acquiring dogs that were not suited to their lifestyle or lacked proper training and socialisation. 

Many owners lack knowledge of dog behaviour, warning signs of aggression, and responsible handling techniques, contributing to attacks. 

Some dogs may have challenging temperaments due to being bred without consideration for temperament or being raised without proper guidance

We’re a city of dog lovers in London, with many of us having our own trusted canine companions. However, it’s also important to know the rules and laws in place around this to make sure everyone in your community remains vigilant and safe. In the UK it’s an offence for an owner to let a dog be dangerously out of control, whether in public or private. Please remember that: 

A dog is considered to be out of control if it:

A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if:

In the UK, it's against the law to own certain types of dogs and this is dependent on what it looks like, rather than its breed or name.

If you see a dog loose or if you think someone has and/or is breeding banned dogs, please report this online. If the dog seems to be out of control, let us know by calling 101.

We are working on our brand-new strategy for how we police London and we want your help. Our New Met for London: Phase 2 strategy will guide how we deliver on behalf of Londoners over the next three years, and we want to make sure you have had the chance to have your say. The consultation paper is available online, as well as a survey to let us know what you think. This closes on the 15 September.

We hope this information helps all residents and our furry friends.

Kind regards

PCSO Kourosh Far