Map reveals UK’s ‘danger dog’ hotspots with 114 hell hounds seized a WEEK… as experts warn breed bans don’t stop attacks
Read on to see the areas most affected by these alarming trends
A MAP has revealed the UK’s ‘danger dog’ hotspots with 114 hell hounds seized a week.
One of the largest dog marketplaces Puppies.co.uk sent Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to police forces across the UK.
Just under 6,000 dangerous dogs have been seized by 27 forces since November 2023.
This means 114 dogs are seized each week across the nation on average.
The area most affected by these alarming trends was Greater Manchester with 19 dogs seized a week.
The second highest was in the West Midlands with 17 dogs followed by Northumbria with nine.
West Yorkshire seized eight a week while Leicestershire said it seized six.
Experts have warned the current breed-specific approach, including the XL Bully ban, is not working.
They have argued the onus should instead be on the dog owners.
A spokesperson for said: “While the recent data on dog seizures is concerning, it’s crucial to remember that focusing on breed-specific bans is not the answer to promoting public safety.
“The Dangerous Dogs Act has been in effect for over three decades and yet, hospital admissions due to dog bites continue to rise.
“Instead of focusing on breed, the emphasis should be on addressing the root causes of dog aggression, which generally stem from irresponsible ownership and breeding practices.”
They added: “Dogs, regardless of breed, can exhibit aggressive behaviour if they are not properly trained, socialised, and cared for.
“Tighter breeding legislation and increased resources for enforcement are necessary to combat the rise of illegal and low-welfare breeders who prioritise profit over the well-being of the animals.”
It comes after cops issued an urgent warning to dog owners to “step up before someone dies” after 13 horrific attacks in less than 48 hours.
South Yorkshire Police said incidents of dangerous dogs included a man left with serious facial injuries and a woman fearing for her baby’s safety.
The force added that owners who did “not step up” and prevent harm would not be tolerated.
Police said in the release that a man was attacked by his own dog in Sheffield on Thursday at 3.22pm.
The American Bulldog had attacked when the owner attempted to separate the bulldog and a pocket bully inside a property.
The owner suffered lacerations to his face, neck and head and was taken to hospital.
The dog was seized and remains in police kennels.
Further calls included a woman walking home with her baby in a carrier on her chest.
Family pay tribute to 'our wonderful girl' killed by pet
By Summer Raemason & John Siddle
A DEVASTATED family have paid a heartbreaking tribute to their “wonderful” little girl, 10, who was mauled to death by their XL Bully.
Savannah Bentham was attacked by the “new pet” inside their caravan near Malton, North Yorkshire, last Friday at around 4.15pm.
The youngster had been happily playing on swings in a park nearby just before the horror.
Savannah’s family have now issued a heartwrenching statement released by North Yorkshire Police.
It reads: “We are utterly shocked and devastated by what happened to Savannah.
“We can’t believe we have lost our wonderful girl who we love so much.
“We thank everyone for their support and kindness as we struggle to come to terms with our loss.
“We ask that our family’s privacy is respected while we grieve for Savannah.”
Locals described the harrowing moment the youngster’s mother ran out screaming “my baby’s dead”.
A gardener at a caravan park next door to the mobile home – based in the storage yard of a utilities company – told how the “piercing” screams from the girl’s mother were “etched in my memory”.
Keith, 67, said: “It’s done me in. I don’t drink much but I’ve drunk all weekend just to hide it. I didn’t sleep a wink on Friday. I’ve just not been able to cope with it. I’ll never forget it.
“I’d just got back to the site and I saw armed police fly in and the helicopters 10 minutes later.
“Then I heard the screaming. ‘My baby, my baby, my baby, my baby’s dead’.
“It was a piercing scream. I’ll take it to my grave – it was so harrowing. It’ll haunt me until the day I die.
“I’ll never forget it. Those screams were horrendous.
“I knew straight away what must have happened – I told my wife ‘I think the dog’s killed the girl’.”
She was approached by a loose XL Bully who began to show aggression and jump up to her baby.
Meanwhile an elderly woman and her grandchild were attacked by another loose dog in Sheffield.
It comes just days after a “wonderful” little girl, 10, was mauled to death by an XL Bully in North Yorkshire.
The force added that owners who did “not step up” and prevent harm would not be tolerated.
Police said in the release that a man was attacked by his own dog in Sheffield on Thursday at 3.22pm.
The American Bulldog had attacked when the owner attempted to separate the bulldog and a pocket bully inside a property.
The owner suffered lacerations to his face, neck and head and was taken to hospital.
The dog was seized and remains in police kennels.
Further calls included a woman walking home with her baby in a carrier on her chest.
She was approached by a loose XL Bully who began to show aggression and jump up to her baby.
Meanwhile an elderly woman and her grandchild were attacked by another loose dog in Sheffield.
A “wonderful” little girl, 10, was recently mauled to death by an XL Bully in North Yorkshire.
Which dog breeds are banned in the UK?
THERE are specific regulations in place that prohibit certain dog breeds from being owned or bred in the UK.
So what are the illegal dogs in the UK and why are they illegal? Here’s what we know.
Which dog breeds are illegal in the UK?
People tend to think of large, vicious dogs when they imagine being bitten by one.
But the truth is that many types of dogs are known to bite humans, whether provoked or not.
However, it’s important to remember that just because a breed tends to bite humans, that doesn’t mean that they all do.
British law determines five breeds of dog are illegal to own, breed, sell or give away.
These are an XL Bully, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro.
