Dog attacks resulting in injuries across the UK have surged by more than 80 per cent since 2020, according to newly released police data. In 2025, officers recorded 29,400 incidents, a stark increase from the 16,040 reported in 2020. This upward trend persists despite the ban on the XL bully breed, which came into effect in February 2024.
Regional hotspots
London recorded the highest number of dog attacks in 2025, with 2,530 cases. Greater Manchester followed closely with 1,678 incidents. Other regions also reported significant numbers, highlighting a nationwide issue.
Recent fatalities
Tragically, a three-month-old girl, Maggie-May Ann Moody, died on 9 April after being bitten by a dog in Dormanstown, Cleveland. This incident was part of a series of fatal attacks this month. In Essex, a 19-year-old woman lost her life, and in Wolverhampton, a woman in her 70s was killed. These cases underscore the ongoing severity of dog-related violence.
The rise in injuries and fatalities raises questions about the effectiveness of current breed-specific legislation and the need for broader measures to ensure public safety.
