Dangerous Dogs - Yearly Performance 2014

Key Points

• On 13 May 2014, The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was amended so that the term “a public place” was substituted to “any place in England or Wales (whether or not a public place)”
• Prior to the amendment dog bites and attacks on private property were excluded from the legislation. This main change in the law extends this to cover incidents which take place in/on private property (including homes and gardens). The changes also legislated that attacks on assistance dogs are also an offence
• The marked increase in Dog Attack offences recorded by the MPS clearly replicates this change in legislation and as such, any data preceding this date is non-comparable.
• Between January and December 2014 there were a total of 1,400 offences recorded, representing an average of 177 offences per month. August 2014 experienced the peak during this period with 141 offences
• It is apparent that Croydon and Barnet boroughs recorded the highest volumes; followed by Southwark, Hillingdon and Bromley
• The SD rate and People Proceeded against for dangerous dogs offences have not increased relative to the volume change following the amendment to legislation. In 2014 the SD rate was 17% (compared to 21% in 2013). PPA in 2014 was 292 compared to 199 in 2013
• Seizures in the current financial year (with one quarter remaining) is almost at the same level as the complete FY of 2008/09
• In total there were 867 seizures across the MPD during 2014, with the peak in this activity being June when 114 dogs were seized.
• Enfield had the highest number of seizures during 2014 , followed by Lewisham.
• 2014 the largest proportion of dogs seized were those within the specific breeds of fighting dogs named in the legislation
• In total 308 dogs were disposed of throughout the year