Dog attacks have surged during the pandemic, with an alarming increase to over three attacks per hour in both public spaces and private residences. A concerning trend has emerged where owners are exploiting a loophole to bypass the ban on violent dog breeds by opting for Bully breeds.
Recent data uncovered by the Mirror shows a significant rise in out-of-control dog attacks resulting in injuries, with at least 29,400 incidents recorded in 2025. This marks a five percent increase from the previous year, when 28,000 attacks were documented following the ban on XL Bully dogs in 2024. Prior to the pandemic, around 16,000 attacks were reported.
Analysts studying the data suggest that the surge in dog attacks reflects a broader societal issue of increasing chaos. The statistics reveal a nearly twofold rise in attacks since the start of the pandemic, painting a grim reality of fatalities, disfigurements, and permanent disabilities.
The figures demonstrate a consistent escalation in dog attacks since 2020, with reported incidents climbing from 16,040 in that year to 19,762 in 2021, 21,700 in 2022, and 27,000 in 2023. These statistics were obtained through exclusive Freedom of Information requests made to all police forces nationwide.
Following the devastating loss of Jade Lomas-Anderson in 2013 due to a dog attack, her stepfather and mother expressed dismay at the newly revealed figures, highlighting the ongoing increase in attacks. They emphasized the urgent need for legislative changes regarding dog bans to effectively address the mounting incidents involving multiple dog breeds, not limited to XL bullies.
Notably, the Metropolitan Police in London reported the highest number of dog attacks in the previous year, with 2,530 incidents recorded. Among these cases was a harrowing attack on a woman in a church garden by a ferocious dog, leaving her with severe wounds and trauma.
The rise in dog attacks has resulted in tragic consequences, with recent incidents claiming lives and inflicting life-altering injuries. Authorities have been grappling with cases like the one involving a 10-year-old girl in Greater Manchester, who suffered serious injuries from an XL bully type dog attack, leading to arrests of individuals for possessing a dangerously out-of-control dog.
The escalating trend of dog attacks has raised concerns among experts and officials, with calls for stricter regulations and public awareness campaigns to address the root causes of these incidents. The relentless increase in dog attacks and related injuries underscores the pressing need for effective intervention and preventive measures to ensure public safety and well-being.