Fatal dog attacks in the United Kingdom are usually measured in single figures per year. A 2021 study of fatal dog attacks in Europe during the period 1995–2016 placed the United Kingdom (with 56 fatalities) as fourth in the top five countries for number of human fatalities alongside Hungary (#1), France (#2), Romania (#3), and Poland (#5). The study also found that fatal dog attacks have been increasing significantly over time which was not attributable to the increase in the number of dogs, and stated "The numbers of fatalities are indeed a very small tip of the 'dog attack iceberg', and the number of dog attacks that lead to hospitalizations of the victim outnumber fatalities by several orders of magnitude."[1]
Some fatalities and serious attacks have been followed by calls to increase dog regulations. There was a push to limit the number and gross weight of dogs that a dog walker could legally handle at one time after dog walker Natasha Johnston lost control of her eight dogs in 2023, resulting in a witness being bitten, spooking a horse causing its rider to fall, and Johnston's mauling death.[2] An increasing number of serious dog attacks (both fatal and non-fatal) was the catalyst for the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991,[3][4] which led to four breeds being banned: Pitbull, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro.[5] Between 2021 and 2023, around half of fatal dog attacks were caused by a single breed, the American Bully XL, and in December 2023, they were the first breed to be added to the act since 1991, making it illegal in England and Wales to sell, breed, abandon, or give away a Bully XL, to possess one without a Certificate of Exemption, or to have one in public without a lead and muzzle.[6][7][8][9]
Below is a list of human deaths caused by dogs reported by the news media, published in scholarly papers, or mentioned through other sources. In the lists below, the dog type or breed is assigned by the sources. For more information on causes of death and studies related to dog bite-related fatalities, see Fatal dog attacks.
Butcher habitually made his dog attack and kill cats for the amusement of himself and others. On the last occasion, he beat the dog after it failed to do this; the dog turned on Butcher and injured him so severely that he died in hospital a few days later. The dog was killed at the scene by an onlooker, who cut its throat to end the attack.[16][17]
Cordingley, a skinner, was discovered in the early morning by passers-by in the yard of his house with serious injuries to his arm and throat; he died soon after. He had been attacked by his two watchdogs but the exact circumstances are unknown. It was speculated the dogs attacked him after he came home drunk, late the previous night.[18] Both dogs were put down soon after.[19]
Banks was killed by a watchdog owned by a relative while taking it for a walk by the seashore with the relative's two children; the children escaped unharmed. The dog was later shot.[20][21]
Edwards, an elderly woman, was killed by a dog owned by her landlady, Elizabeth Jackson. Jackson attempted to conceal the death, but the victim was missed and her body was found in the house by police.[22]
Ellsworth was attacked by his dog in his backyard. It bit his leg and refused to let go, despite the victim's daughter beating the dog with a whip. He was admitted to the hospital and died on the 17th.[24]
Hargreaves, who had an outstanding warrant for larceny, trespassed on an enclosed marine supply yard at night and was attacked by the guard dogs.[25] The owner was charged under Section 2 of the Dogs Act 1871 but it was determined in court that the dogs were kept under proper control as they were behind a 13 foot wall and the charge was dismissed.[26]
The baby was left in a pram in the garden. The neighbour's family pet, "a friend of the children", was later seen sitting on the pram, and the baby was found to have been bitten about the head.[27]
While eating lunch at a table, the father was throwing scraps to the dog that was sitting below, suddenly it bit the victim who was crawling nearby, puncturing her head.[30]
A large black and white dog jumped up and pushed Bennett over, causing her spinal injuries. She died from her injuries two weeks later in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.[31]
Francis was in the garden of his grandparents' home where he was attacked by dogs owned by his uncle.[32] The subsequent inquest was told the dogs were in poor condition and had been kept in a confined space. A verdict of accidental death was recorded.[33]
While on holiday, Lynch was mauled by two prize-winning Rottweilers.[35][36] The victim was walking the dogs with a friend when the attack took place, as they had done several times before. The victim's friend, a girl of 12, tried to save her life, but to no avail. The dogs had never shown any aggression before the attack and were both put-down.[37]
Parry was killed by his family's three pet dogs in the garden of the family's pub. The three dogs were subsequently put down at the request of the father.[39][38][35]
The dog, being walked by two unsupervised boys, aged seven and ten, broke free of its lead and leapt at a snowman being built by Parker and his eight-year-old friend, Edward Davies. The dog then attacked Parker, biting through his jugular vein. He died from the injuries inflicted to his neck.
When attacked, Parker screamed and struggled in an attempt to frighten off the dog, but this did not succeed; an expert later testified at the inquest that, given the dog's breed, this behaviour by Parker was counterproductive, and that the dog would only have been willing to let him go once he stopped screaming and resisting. Davies attempted to pull the dog off Parker, but was unable to do so. Early reports called the dog a mastiff cross-breed, but at the inquest, it was deemed largely a pit bull.
The victim's father stated that the dog "was well known on the estate as being very dangerous before it attacked Dean".[40][41][42][38]
A dog attack just before Christmas; a bull terrier savaged a month-old baby girl. The infant had been lying in a bouncing chair by her mother's feet when the dog, named Dodger, suddenly grabbed the baby by the head. Despite being taken to the Royal Preston Hospital, the victim died two hours later from brain injuries. The dog was put down at the request of the family.[43][44]
Kearney was attacked two days before Christmas after climbing a fence to fetch his football.[45] The boy was so badly mutilated, that his mother did not recognise him. He died two weeks after hospital admission and having a leg amputated to prevent gangrene. Two dogs involved in the attack, named Sam and Jet, were put down at the owner's request; he kept the other two dogs he owned.
The CPS declined to prosecute the dogs' owner, but the jury at Kearney's inquest returned a verdict of unlawful killing.[46][47][48][49][38]
Crisp was attacked in the garden of her home by her grandson's dog which broke her neck, and was later shot by police at the scene.[50] No prosecution took place because the dog was determined not to be a banned breed.[51]
Ross had had an epileptic seizure and her dog, named Frentzen, attempted to pick her up by the scruff of the neck as a mother dog would lift a puppy. There was no evidence of a 'savaging' of the victim, and the victim's 22-month-old daughter was in the same room unharmed. The dog was euthanised.[52]
Dinham was found dead in his home, mauled to death by his dog, Ben, possibly after an epileptic seizure. Neighbours claimed the same dog attacked a child a few months before, though it was suggested that the dog might have merely jumped at the girl, and the scratches sustained were from falling over.[53] The victim and dog were said to be inseparable, and the dog was known to nip at his owner to bring him around from seizures before. The dog was later put down.[54]
The family's two dogs were normally kept outside, but Liam's father, Christopher (who was at work at the time of the attack) had let them in because it was hot outside. Liam's mother, Jacqueline, was sitting with him on the floor when he crawled towards the dog and it attacked him.
Jacqueline was unable to free the baby and the dog only let go once the family's other dog intervened, at which point she ran outside with the baby shouting for help. The child was pronounced dead an hour later from head and neck wounds.
The dog, named Missy, had been acquired from a rescue, and had a “nervous temperament,” but was otherwise fine around the children. It was seized along with the family's other dog and was slated to be euthanised. The other dog was returned to the family.[55][56][44][38]
Deacon was attacked when her mother and her partner were moving furniture in the living quarters of a pub. The two guard dogs, which were usually kept in a kennel on the pub's roof, entered through a fire escape door that was left open for 15 minutes and took the unsupervised five-month-old baby from her Moses basket and out to the roof where they mauled her. The dogs, Bruno and Bessie, were owned by the partner's mother (the licensee of the pub) and were put down soon after the incident.
The pub where the attack took place was located opposite a primary school. Local residents familiar with the dogs described them as "very aggressive", "powerful", and "vicious", and said people were scared to walk their children past the pub to school, as they feared the dogs would jump down from the roof and attack.[57][58][38]
Lawrenson's grandmother, after smoking ten cannabis joints and drinking two bottles of wine, let the 75-pound dog inside the house where it attacked and killed the girl. The victim received 72 separate injuries, mostly to her head and neck, and the floor was "awash with blood" when police arrived. The dog was shot dead at the scene by a police marksman.
The dog, named Reuben, had a reputation locally for aggression. It weighed 34 kg, spent its time bouncing on a trampoline in the back garden while carrying large pieces of wood, and was described by a dog specialist within the Met as "fantastically well conditioned" and of "immeasurable power". Previously, the dog had attacked the victim's aunt without provocation, leaving her needing stitches to her leg, and, on a separate occasion had attacked a Jack Russell Terrier.
Kiel Simpson, the victim's uncle and owner of the dog, was jailed on possession of an illegal dog and banned from keeping dogs for five years. The grandmother was charged with manslaughter but was acquitted. Almost 200 banned dogs were surrendered the following month when Merseyside Police offered an amnesty.[59][60][61][38]
Hirst was being carried by a seven-year-old girl when the dog attacked, wrenching the boy from her arms. He was dragged into the garden of his grandparents' house and mauled. Though the victim's aunt attempted to fight the dog away, the victim was 'savaged to death'. Both the victim's parents were at a neighbour's house and didn't witness the incident. The two-and-a-half-year-old female dog was shot dead by police at the scene. The grandparents had only acquired her six months prior and had not walked her for five months, according to testimony at the inquest. According to a consultant, the dog was kept in the back yard and did not have enough mental stimulation, which may have caused it to become aggressive.[62][63][64]
Rehill was taking the dog for its morning walk when he fell over in the street. At first, the dog licked and pawed its owner. Subsequent events, and Rehill's cause of death, are disputed.
Initial media reports, based on eyewitness accounts, asserted that the dog attacked, tearing chunks of flesh from his face, and that this was what caused Rehill's death. The dog only let go once sprayed with a fire extinguisher and was then shot by the police.[65][66]
Per other witness accounts, the dog was merely trying to help the owner, not attacking him. Furthermore, a post-mortem revealed that he had had a stroke immediately before his collapse, and his inquest ruled that his death was due to natural causes.[67]
The RSPCA complained that the ruling that he had died of natural causes did not get as widely reported as the initial "attack" had been, and cited the case as an example of a broader phenomenon that initial media reports about dog attacks are unreliable.[38]
Rehill died at the Royal London Hospital. He had owned the dog for ten years, and it had allegedly never acted aggressively before.
The two dogs dragged the three-and-a-half-month-old baby off a table while his grandmother was taking a nap, and attacked him. The grandmother discovered the dead baby and was shrieking, drawing attention from a neighbour who came over to see what was going on. The neighbour said the baby had severe injuries to his neck and was dead. Both dogs were said to have previously acted friendly towards the infant. Both dogs were put down.[71]
Walker was one of two men who were trying to separate two dogs that were fighting in their backyard. Both dogs turned on the victim, who received 51 bites in the attack and lost four pints of blood. The dogs were euthanised at the request of the owner, who was known to have owned dangerous dogs before. His previous Rottweilers had attacked a woman and killed her poodle, but he was not banned from owning animals.[72]
While Holden was trying to put up a tent during a camping holiday with his wife and son in Wales, his dog Eric nipped his hand. (The coroner would later rule that the nip had no "malicious intent" behind it.) Holden developed sepsis as a result of a virus in the dog's saliva, suffered multiple organ failures, had his feet amputated, and finally died three months later in hospital in Crewe, Cheshire.[38][73][74]
Massey was attacked in his house by a large dog. His grandmother tried to protect him, sustaining injuries herself. The dog, named Uno, was shot in the front garden by responding police. It had been reported that they were breeding dogs at the house.[75]
Christian Foulkes, the victim's uncle and owner of the dog, pleaded guilty to three counts under the Dangerous Dogs Act and was jailed for four months. He was found to be breeding pit bulls.[76] The victim's grandmother admitted one charge of keeping a dangerous dog and was given a four-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, and was banned from owning a dog again.[77]
18-month-old Ahmed was mauled by her uncle's dog, named Game, who came in from the backyard. The grandmother, who was present, was not strong enough to remove the dog. Two workmen from next door pulled the child and dog apart, but the child died in hospital. The dog's owner wasn't charged with manslaughter due to insufficient evidence but was convicted of keeping a bannedDogo Argentino (a second dog), and was prohibited from keeping dogs for five years. Both dogs were put down.[78][79]
Banks was bitten by her dog, Brannigan, while loading him into a car, and refused to seek medical treatment for the bite out of fear that Brannigan, who had previously saved her life by waking her during a fire, would be put down as a result. She developed septicaemia and died two days after the bite. The dog was put down.[38][80]
Williams was attacked and killed by her partner's pet mastiff, suffering multiple injuries and a severe haemorrhage to her head and neck. The dog, named Debo, was shot dead by police marksmen, and a pit bull puppy named Ruby (a banned dog) was seized and later euthanized. The dogs' owner was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of ÂŁ3,340, and was banned from owning any animal or having anything to do with keeping or transporting animals.
The owner's neighbour had previously called the police and local council about the dog after it smashed the fence between the two properties.[81][82]
Trotman was attacked in his garden by his neighbour's escaped dog, suffering bite wounds and injuries from being knocked over. He died six days later from a ruptured spleen. The dog's owner was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and three dogs were seized.[83]
Dickinson was nipped by his pet terrier and the wound became infected. When Dickinson's partner first took him to hospital for treatment, the on-call GP at Kent and Canterbury Hospital misdiagnosed his symptoms as food poisoning and sent him home. Dickinson later suffered septic shock due to the infection and died three days after the bite. The dog was rehomed.[38][84]
Knowles was attacked and killed by her daughter's dogs when she went to feed them. Police seized five dogs: two Bordeaux bulldogs, two American bulldogs, and a mongrel.[85]
Eight-day-old Harper was attacked in his carrycot by the smaller of the family's two pet dogs. The dog, named PJ, which neighbours described as "small but vicious", was put down.[86][87]
Lomas-Anderson was visiting a friend's house. Her friend briefly left, leaving Lomas-Anderson alone in the house, when four of her friend's five dogs attacked her. The dogs, Buddy, Neo, Ty and Sky were shot dead by police. Their owner was given a 16-week suspended prison sentence for animal cruelty.[88][38][89]
Clarke was attacked in his garden. He was dragged around and had one arm chewed off at the elbow. The 70 lb dog, which had not been fed for roughly 48 hours before the attack, was so aggressive it bit at the end of the officer's gun; it was shot twice and killed. The dog's owners were charged under the Dangerous Dogs Act, were both jailed for a year, and banned from keeping dogs.[90][91][92][93][38]
Branson was home from school, sick, when the dog, named Mulan, attacked her, going straight for her throat. The mother repeatedly stabbed the dog with a kitchen knife. A post-mortem revealed Branson died from facial injuries and the dog preventing the girl from breathing. The family got the dog from a rehoming centre two months prior; it was originally a stray that had been through several owners since 2007.[95][96]
Pregnant mother-of-four, Bennett, died after she was attacked by the animals, named Bella and Dollar, at her home in Leeds. She died the next day. Lee Horner, the victim's partner and owner of the dogs, pleaded guilty to owning dogs prohibited by the Dangerous Dogs Act and was ordered at Leeds Magistrates' Court to do 280 hours of unpaid work. The court heard he had threatened to set one of the dogs on two female social workers months before the fatal attack. He was banned from keeping dogs for life and ordered to pay ÂŁ800 costs.[94][97]
Walsh was mauled by his girlfriend's dog, Gypsy, after a domestic incident. The "highly protective" dog bit him 42 times, broke five of his ribs, and ruptured his spleen. The circumstances were unclear; Walsh's girlfriend alleged he slapped her and picked up and threatened Gypsy, but she changed elements of her story during the investigation and again during the inquest, and the police investigator complained she never gave a coherent account. The coroner recorded an open verdict, stating that "We will never, ever, know or ever be entirely clear what happened".[38][98][99]
Corless was attacked and killed by a 126 lb dog as her mother lay sleeping with her boyfriend, the dog's owner. The 126 lb dog was determined to be a pit bull terrier by experts and a veterinary surgeon and was put down after the attack. The dog's owner was jailed for 18 weeks and prohibited from owning dogs for five years after he was found guilty of owning a prohibited breed.[100][101] The dog was named Snoop, but was known in the neighbourhood by the name "Killer", as it killed a neighbour's cat two years prior.[102][103]
Mullane's mother left the sleeping six-day-old baby in her pram inside the house while she stepped out to put her son in a taxi for school. One of the family's two pet dogs had entered the room and the baby was on the floor. The dog involved in the attack, an Alaskan Malamute, was seized and put down; the other dog, a collie-cross was also euthanised.[104][105]
Collins was repeatedly bitten when police let loose a 98-pound police dog to locate a suspected drug dealer on the run. She suffered multiple bites and a broken arm from falling during the attack. She had lung cancer and emphysema and died four days after the attack. The pathologist said her death was hastened by the bites.[106] The dog, which had eleven prior biting incidents, was put down. Cleveland Police changed their policy on acquiring dogs, now requiring bite records.[107][108]
Russell, a pensioner with a zimmerframe, stepped in to protect his wife after an American Bulldog pounced on her. The dog turned on him and ripped the flesh from his arm, exposing bone, before bystanders came to his aid. He initially made good progress in hospital but deteriorated and died a month after the attack. The inquest found no clear cause of death and did not rule out death by natural causes.[38][109]
Caygill was found in her flat, dead from multiple dog bites. The dog, which had bitten and injured her arm on a previous occasion as well as biting and hospitalising another man, was seized and put down. A neighbour overheard her shouting at her dog to get down and let go of her, but didn't intervene because this was a common occurrence.[110][38][111]
Six-month-old Wotherspoon was attacked when the family's pit bull terrier (banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act) broke free from its cage. The child had injuries to all four limbs and puncture wounds to her brain. The dog, named Bruiser, was put down at the scene. The victim's mother and grandmother were both sentenced to two years and prohibited from owning any dog for ten years.[112][113]
Greve, who had heart disease, suffered cardiac arrest and died after being bitten on the neck and face by her grandson's dog. The grandson was already banned from owning dogs due to a previous incident, and the dog that killed her had behaved violently towards her in the past. The grandson was sentenced to four months in prison.[38][114]
While Reggie's father was asleep, three-week-old Reggie either fell or was dragged from his bouncer and was mauled by the terrier, named Tricky. He was found alive in a pool of blood by his mother when she returned home, but could not be saved. Reggie's father, the dog's owner, pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to being in charge of a dangerous dog and was sentenced to 21 months' imprisonment.[115][38]
George contracted sepsis when he was bitten on the left hand as he tried to save his Springer Spaniel from the mixed breed Pit-Bull-type dog, named Rocco. Four days after the incident, the victim visited his GP who gave him a tetanus boost and antibiotics, but his health worsened, and he was rushed to hospital the next day. By that time, George was â€beyond help’, and he suffered multiple organ failure and died a week after the incident.[116][117]
McCall was playing tug-of-war with his 16-month-old Springer Spaniel when she accidentally bit the back of his hand. McCall became unwell the following day and sought treatment at the out-of-hours service where he got antibiotics prescribed. Upon returning home, his symptoms worsened and he was admitted to hospital on November 15, where he died three days later.[118]
The dog attacked while Hewitson was having an epileptic seizure, injuring his trachea. His father kicked, hit, and stabbed the dog trying to loosen its hold. Paramedics were unable to save Hewitson. The five-year-old family dog (named Trigger, and said to not be a banned breed but described as a pit bull cross) had twice before attacked the victim when he was having an epileptic episode.[119][120]
Hodgson was passed out on a bed when his dog entered the room, grabbed him by the back of the neck, dragged him to the floor, and mauled him about the neck. He had twice before been bitten by this same dog. The dog severed Hodgson's carotid artery and jugular vein. It was tasered by police and later died.[121]
Ellam and his smaller pet dog were attacked when his neighbour's five-year-old dog got out of its pen. Two months prior, Ellam reported the dog to the council, fearing it was a pit bull terrier and might attack. Police seized the dog but returned it to its owner a week before the fatal attack after deciding it was not a banned breed per the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Ellam suffered a sustained attack and the dog was still mauling him when police arrived at the scene.[122] The dog's owner was jailed for ten years after he was convicted of owning a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death. He had failed to comply with an order to muzzle and restrain the dog, which had a history of attacking neighbours.[123]
Neal was pushed to the ground by the rescue home dog and attacked. He died on the way to the hospital. The dog's owner pleaded guilty to owning a dangerously out-of-control dog causing injury resulting in death, was sentenced to a year in prison, suspended for two years, banned from owning dogs for ten years, and ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service. The dog, named Ruby, was euthanised.[124]
Darby's mother was with her two children and talking to someone on the phone when the dog attacked the children. The mother knew that her four-month-old was already dead and tried to save her older child, who was 22 months old. The mother was able to get the dog out into the conservatory and barricade the door. Bailey, the dog owned by her sister and brother-in-law for four years and acquired from a rescue centre, continued aggressive behaviour right up until it was put to sleep.
A post-mortem examination was conducted and it concluded that there were no signs of disease or ill health. The mother and her children moved into the home a week prior to the attack. The mother was also injured during the attack and the 22-month-old suffered life-changing injuries.[125][126][127][128][129]
Perivoitos was attacked and killed by his pet after he had an epileptic seizure. His larynx was crushed. Cocaine and morphine were found in the dog's urine. The dog, named Major, was to be euthanised.[94][130][131][38]
Luckie was nipped on the leg and wounded during his daily walk, contracted sepsis, went to hospital two days later, and died on July 11. The dog was a rescue dog that had never previously displayed signs of aggression. The dog's owner turned themselves in to police, the dog was euthanised, and the owner was given a six month suspended prison sentence.[38][132]
Two-month-old McNulty was attacked at home on 18 November by his parents' two pet dogs, Fizzy and Dotty, suffering horrific injuries. He died in hospital weeks later. Both dogs were euthanised.[135]
MacRitchie was attacked and killed when he was left alone with the dog, named Winston, in a caravan at a holiday park. The child's mother and the dog's owner had both left the caravan to drink. The dog's owner was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and having a dog dangerously out of control. The blood-soaked woman had left the area by begging for a taxi or train fare and pretending she was a victim of domestic violence. The dog was seized by police.
Variously described as a "bulldog-type breed", a "boxer bulldog type", and a "large bulldog cross", it was discovered that the dog had been involved in four previous attacks and often wore a muzzle at home. The boy's mother was jailed for two years for child neglect and the dog's owner was jailed for three years for owning a dangerously out of control dog.[136][137][138][139]
Jennings was bitten on the hand and neck when she broke up a fight between her dog and another dog during a walk on 31 May. She was taken to hospital on 3 June and died four days later from sepsis. The other dog was identified and seized, and its owner arrested "on suspicion of offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act", but charges were dropped by the CPS due to lack of evidence.[140][141][142][143][144]
Stanley was pounced on and mauled by her two dogs, named DJ and Billy. The victim, who weighed eight stone, was unable to fight them off. Neighbours were alerted by screams from the victim's two twin daughters. The neighbours forced their way into the victim's house and attempted to distract the dogs by throwing bricks and tools at them. Police shot and killed DJ at the scene. Billy was taken to a secure kennel and was put down four days later.
The victim was treated by paramedics at the scene, but later died. Reports say that the dogs became unnerved by an argument which could have caused them to become aggressive. The dogs had lived with the owner for just over two years, having come from the victim's ex-boyfriend. At the inquest, it was revealed the dogs had been involved in incidents that the new owner was not aware of.[145]
The coroner recorded a narrative conclusion that Halstead 'died as a result of injuries sustained in an attack from his dog, whilst unconscious following an epileptic seizure'[146][147][148]
Twelve-day-old Joynes was mauled to death by a Chow Chow-Alsatian cross at his home in September 2020. He suffered between 30 and 40 puncture wounds and later died in hospital, while the dog, named Teddy, was put down. A post-mortem report found the infant died as a result of severe trauma to his chest and abdomen with injuries "typical of having been repeatedly bitten by a dog". Stephen Joynes, 36, the victim's father, admitted to a charge of being the owner of a dangerously out-of-control dog, causing injury resulting in death. He was sentenced to four years in prison at Sheffield Crown Court.[149]
Ladlow died after being attacked by a dog her brother bought to improve her mental health. A post-mortem examination revealed "extensive injuries" the court heard, which likely caused her death. The dog, named Gucci, was put down.[150]
Downer was attacked in her back garden after the dogs escaped from a neighbour's garden through a hole in a fence.[152] A 44-year-old-man pleaded guilty to an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act at Wolverhampton Crown Court in April 2023.[153]
Lis was killed by an attack on his face and neck by a "large and powerful" dog while visiting a school friend's house. The dog was notably named "Beast." The dog was put down by firearms officers. The dog's owner Brandon Hayden, then 19, was sentenced in June 2022 to just over four years at a young offenders’ institution, and Amy Salter, then 29, was jailed for three years after they pleaded guilty to being in charge of the out-of-control dog.[155]
Watts was attacked at the Juniper Kennels and Cattery he owned and was pronounced dead at the scene. The dog involved had been put into the care of Mr Watts' kennels by police after being seized under warrant in August. The dog's previous owner, Peter Fyfe, 48, was banned from keeping animals for five years over previous incidents involving the dog attacking other dogs.[156][157]
Jones, who had Down syndrome, was bitten by three dogs at a house and consequently died at the scene from his injuries, as recorded by the Ceredigion Coroner's Office. A woman was subsequently arrested in connection with the attack.[158][159]
Three-month-old King was killed after an attack at Ostler's Plantation, an area popular with dog walkers. The dog, named Blizzard, was one of 19 huskies being exercised by her parents. Her mother Karen Alcock, 41, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog that was out of control causing injury and resulting in death, while her father Vince King, 54, initially plead not guilty[161][162] but changed his plea to guilty on the day of the trial.[163] Both received suspended prison sentences and unpaid work, and the dog was put down.[164]
17-month-old Birch was attacked at her home by a dog that the family had owned for only a week. Merseyside Police announced tests have confirmed that the dog involved was an American Bully XL.[165][166][167]
Bond suffered serious injuries and was in cardiac arrest following an attack at his grandmother's home. The grandmother was an unlicensed Rottweiler breeder who left the toddler briefly unsupervised, during which time he let himself into a field housing three dogs and was attacked.[168] The three rottweilers that were removed from the property following the attack were housed securely by West Mercia Police for several weeks before being put down.[169]
Police were called by paramedics after Twigg was injured in the attack. He was rushed to hospital but died from his injuries.[171] His parents were later charged with gross negligence manslaughter [172]
Jones died after being bitten by his daughter-in-law's dog, Cookie, and went into cardiac arrest. He was pronounced dead at the scene, despite efforts to rescue him.[173][174] Chanel Fong, 31, pleaded not guilty to owning a dog dangerously out of control; trial date was set for October 2025.[175]
Robinson was mauled at home and died of severe blood loss from neck wounds.[176] Her boyfriend suffered devastating injuries to his face, hands, and chest as he tried to pull the dog off her.[179]
The 52 kg dog had been purchased the day before from a travellers' site by the victim's friend, after seeing a video on Snapchat. Immediately prior to the attack, the victim took the dog out for a walk, was observed engaging in rough play, winding the dog up and putting it into a headlock.[181]
Dunn died after being attacked by multiple dogs. Emergency services pronounced her dead at the scene. Five dogs who lived at the property were surrendered to the authorities and put down.[183]
Patrick died from her injuries 17 days after being attacked by a dog. Her cause of death was given as sepsis, pneumonia, infected scalp wounds, and traumatic lacerations secondary to a dog attack. The dog was seized by the police and put down.[184][185][186][187]
Officers were called to reports of a dog/s attacking members of the public at Gravelly Hill. Johnston, a dog walker, died at the scene, and a second woman was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Eight dogs were seized by the police.[189][190]
Stones was attacked in the back garden of her house by a dog her family had acquired a few weeks earlier. The "large, brown" dog was put down at the scene. It was confirmed not to be a banned breed.[192][193]
Stevens died at the scene of the incident. The brother of the victim subsequently pleaded guilty to being the person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death.[195][196] It was reported at sentencing that the 14 month old dog had a history of aggressive behaviour, targeting the head and neck. Gary Stevens was jailed for 4.5 years and banned from keeping dogs for life [194]
Hogg was found with serious injuries and was transferred to hospital, but died shortly afterwards. A 24-year-old man was bailed, after being arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog.[198]
A grandmother died after being attacked by the family's pet dog. Anita Atwal, 51, was charged with being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death, and the dog was put down.[199][200]
Stevens was bitten on the legs and arms by two dogs. She was treated for the wounds in hospital and later discharged. Two weeks later, she collapsed and died of a pulmonary embolism. Brian Walshe and Rachel Walshe were charged with being the owner/person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury and resulting in death. The dogs involved in this incident were seized by officers and remain in secure kennels. The dog owners received their sentences at Liverpool Crown Court in May 2024.[201][202]
Two dogs jumped from the window of their home into the garden of a neighbour. The neighbour's son sustained multiple life-threatening injuries and later died in hospital. A 30-year-old man was initially arrested on suspicion of being in charge of dogs dangerously out of control causing injury. He was re-arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and released on conditional bail. One of the dogs involved in the attack died after being restrained by members of the public while the other was put down by a vet. Police confirmed they were believed to be XL Bully dogs but more tests were needed to determine the breed.[204][205]
Langley was walking his Patterdale Terrier puppy when he was attacked by an XL Bully. He suffered injuries to his throat and later died in hospital. A man was arrested on suspicion of murder. The dog was put down at the scene and a second dog was also seized. Neighbour Christopher Bell, 45, later pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog which caused injury leading to death while dangerously out of control in a public place.[207]
Harrington, a retired vet, was found dead in his garden. It was initially unclear if the dogs' bites were the cause of death or happened after he died of natural causes,[208] but they were later determined to be the cause of death. The dogs were seized at the scene, and a 75-year-old woman was arrested in April 2024 and bailed until June.[209] His own Black Russian Terrier is not believed to have been involved in the attack.[210]
Martin tried to stop puppies from fighting and was attacked by two adult dogs named Bear (male) and Beauty (2-year-old female). Her 11-year-old grandson was present during the attack and called for help. Her injuries were described as non-survivable. The dogs were shot by first responders. The 39-year-old father of her grandson was arrested on suspicion of dangerous dog offences. Six puppies were confiscated and taken to a police kennel for legal clarification. Concerns had previously been raised about the breed and temperament of the dogs.[211][212]
Mahal was attacked by her son's two XL Bullies and died at the scene. The dogs were seized. The victim's son has since been charged with two counts of allowing a dog to suffer and one count of owning a fighting dog. [213][214]
Seven-month-old Doherty suffered serious head injuries and died after being bitten by her family's pet dog at home. The dog was put down.[215][216][217]
Reilly was attacked by a pet dog in a property on Wexford Road, where paramedics found her in critical condition. They evacuated her to safety with police help and attempted to save her life, but she died at the scene shortly afterwards.[218][219] Kelly was epileptic and her family believe the dog being spooked by a seizure led to the attack.[220]
Hempstead suffered serious injuries from being bitten by one of her dogs, was taken by ambulance to the Royal London Hospital, and died the following day. Both of the woman's dogs - a Pomeranian and a Bullmastiff - were seized by police; it was reported that both were to be put down.[221][222][223][224]
Daintree was killed by his own XL Bully in his own home. Police were called to the scene by the ambulance service but Daintree was dead when they arrived. As the dog remained a threat, police shot it dead at the scene.[225]
Glass was found dead with injuries consistent of a dog attack. Two dogs were seized by police at the scene and two escaped dogs were captured two days later. The post-mortem revealed the victim died from the injuries caused by the dog attack. Which dog(s) caused his injuries has not yet been made public.[226][227]
Bentham was attacked by her family's dog and sustained serious injuries from which she died at the scene. The dog lived with the family for four years and had an exemption certificate; it was seized by the police.[228][229][230][231]
Leanne McDonnell, 32, was charged with owning a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death; failing in the duty, as a person responsible for an animal, to ensure its welfare; and having custody of a fighting dog. She was also charged with three counts of owning a dog dangerously out of control causing no injury in relation to a separate incident on 18 November. The dog that was involved in both incidents was seized by the police.[232][233]
McLeod died after being attacked by a dog at a flat in Aberdeen. She was pronounced dead at the scene, and the dog has since been euthanised.[234][235]
McColl was walking home when he was chased into a front garden in Bardsley Avenue in the Dallam area of Warrington, Cheshire, by the dog on 24 February. The animal had escaped from a nearby address, and was shot 19 times and killed by armed officers after the attack. Sean Garner, 30, has been charged with owning a dangerously out of control dog, causing serious injury and possession of a fighting dog.[236][237][238]
Dorsett died after being attacked at a flat she was visiting in Hartcliffe, Bristol. Two people, a man and a woman both aged in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death and possession of a prohibited breed of dog. They remain in police custody. The dog was sedated, seized and later euthanised.[239][240][241][242]
