Horror as 12 killed by dogs in 1 year as families call for tough laws after fatal maulings hit highest rate in 40 years

TWELVE people have been killed in vicious dog attacks in as many months - with calls for tougher laws after fatal maulings hit their highest rate in 40 years.

This month alone, two people have been viciously attacked and killed - including four-year-old Alice Stones who was killed by her family's dog her back garden in Milton Keynes just yesterday.

And on January 12, 28-year-old dog walker Natasha Johnston was killed while out with a pack of hounds in Surrey.

In 2022, a whopping ten attacks resulted in fatalities - meaning in the last twelve months 12 people have been killed.

But according to , four people died in 2022, two in 2020, three in 2019 and just one in 2018.

It means just one month in, 2023 is already a more deadly year for dog attacks than 2018 as a whole.

With the numbers soaring, grieving family members of those who have died are calling for tougher laws to stop maulings in their tracks.

The daughter of tragic Shirley Patrick, 83, is demanding action after the latest a string of deaths.

Mrs Patrick died in hospital 17 days after suffering "life-threatening injuries" to her head, body, face and arms on December 3 2022.

The attack took place in Penyrheol, Caerphilly, South Wales, just one year after schoolboy Jack Lis was mauled to death by an XL Bully.

Little Jack lived just half a mile away from Shirley in the tragedy-hit town and the families have called for tougher laws on dangerous dogs.

Shirley's daughter Gail Jones, 63, said her mum had been suffering with dementia when she was attacked by the black XL Bully cross Cane Corso breed.

She said: "All I know is that something needs to be changed in the law with these dogs.

"Pitbulls are banned in this country and these American Bullies actually have Pitbull in them - they're bred that way, so they've got the same temperament as a Pitbull.

"I think these type of dogs should be just used for the use that they're bred for - maybe guard dogs or something.

"And I'm not saying it's just American Bullies, I think maybe any dogs which are bred for fighting should be either banned in Britain, or outside or anywhere, even in a house, where there are children, they should be muzzled."

It’s thought the rising deaths are due to lockdowns as well as incorrect training methods being used on dogs.

And dog experts believe the maulings have not yet reached their peak - and are set to get even worse.

Dog behaviourist Nanci Creedon told The Sun:  “It's all the perfect storm. I can see that this is going to continue to happen more and more frequently.

“It is really about to kick off and attacks are about to become an even more regular thing.

“Dog attacks happen when the dog is afraid because it’s been punished and has finally gotten the balls to stand up for themselves.

“The other reason it happens is fun. It is fun for dogs to do predatory behaviour. This goes for every breed. 

“This is why we buy our dogs toys. This is why they love pulling rope. It is our job to understand this and give him appropriate outlets to do it.”