Rise in number of danger dog attacks

THE number of dangerous dog attacks recorded by police resulting in injuries have increased by 80% in Cleveland over the past three years, figures show.

- By STUART ARNOLD Local democracy reporter

There were 415 offences in 2024/25 where a person in charge allowed a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place, causing injury to another. This was up from 290 in the previous 12 months - itself a 43% year-on-year rise - and the 230 offences recorded in 2022/23.

Cleveland Police said it recognised it had become a “challenging” issue and also suggested improvements in the recording of such offences was a contributing factor to the increase.

The law bans ownership of certain types of dogs classed as dangerous - XL Bully dogs and Pit Bull Terriers being two such examples - but the categorisation of such animals depends on their characteristics and what they look like, rather than just their breed or name.

Last month Cleveland Police revealed it had seized almost 50 XL Bullies since a ban came into force last year. Some of those dogs had attacked a person or another dog, although they can be retained by owners in limited instances with a valid certificate of exemption.

More generally, owners allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control can be sent to prison for six months or receive an unlimited fine - or both - with the prospect of the pet also being destroyed and the owner barred from ownership of another dog in the future.