'Dog attacks have become a huge problem'

The boss of a dog walking and pet sitting company says dog attacks have become a "huge problem" due to owners having a "lack of understanding".

Ryan White, from Beccles, Suffolk, is managing director of We Love Pets, which he started with his wife Jo in 2007.

He spoke to BBC Radio Suffolk after it was revealed there were 358 dog attacks in the county in 2024 – a rise of nearly 20% on the previous year.

"It's about educating owners before they get a dog, because there are no boundaries with dogs anymore," he said.

"People still do not realise how difficult it is to look after a dog, and they are not considering the breed, the sleep the dog needs, the exercise, its diet.

"They get a dog with all great intentions but they then go for cheaper alternatives for care which cause huge problems as the dogs are left feral while they are exercised.

"You could argue dogs are one of the most dangerous animals to own in your family home, but people don't know how to [do] the most basic things [with them]."

Data from police forces across England and Wales shows there were 32,568 recorded dog attack offences in 2024 – a 4% increase on 2023's total of 31,398.

The figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests by the BBC take into account all recorded dog attacks but do not offer information on breed or severity of injury.

The actual attack figures are likely to be higher as the data counts only those incidents that are reported to police.

"If you haven't got 100% control of your dog at home or in the garden then you're not going to have anywhere near that while you are out," said Mr White.

"It's not about restricting people from owning pets, but I am a huge advocate for a pre-qualification where you can get a dog but you have to go through a course first."

Carolyn Allum, from Claydon, near Ipswich, shared her experiences of "very aggressive" dog attacks.

She had to retire her guide dog Ally early after she was attacked six times, resulting in her companion becoming "a completely different dog".

"Ally became so fearful of other dogs she would be quite unsociable around them," Ms Allum said.

"But it wasn't always big dogs and I can't say it was one specific type of dog – there were a few smaller ones, and most of them were in the town centre."

She said her new guide dog, Lea, had also been set upon twice during her service career – on one occasion resulting Ms Allum herself being pulled to the ground.

"I've had people who have just walked off and wouldn't engage with me at all, and I find that really frustrating," she said.

"Some owners are really quite devastated and apologise profusely, but it is not just about physical injury – it is about the damage to the psyche of the dog.

"The dog I had before, emotionally, it really damaged her, and the partnership itself, and now I am more fearful when I am in the town centre."

But Suffolk Police said there had been "an increase in public awareness of dog incidents in line with an increase in media reporting since the XL bully dog ban".

The force added that it was easier to flag up incidents via an online reporting tool, and that the number of reported attacks included "low level incidents" where injuries could be minor.

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