POLICE have said that ‘something has to change’ after it was revealed that over 1,000 injuries were caused by dangerous dogs in South Yorkshire in 2024.
Last year officers carried out 1,797 investigations into dogs causing injury or fear in the county and, of those investigations, 1,049 people were injured, some requiring surgery and left with permanent physical and mental scars.
A police spokesperson said: “We know the majority of dog owners are responsible and want the best for their pet and family, but there is also a minority that poses a great risk to innocent people, including their own families and other dogs.”
Of the investigations, 347 involved children under the age of 15, with 73 being under the age of three years old.
Research shows that children are most likely to be bitten by a familiar dog within a home as they are less likely to understand and react to a dog’s behaviour and warning signs.
Leading the work on dangerous dogs, Chief Inspector Emma Cheney said: “‘Something has to change; owners have to change; we cannot continue to see the consequences that irresponsible dog ownership is causing to our communities.
“Everyone thinks it won’t happen to them, that their dog wouldn’t hurt anyone, but any dog, of any breed has the ability to cause harm.
“We will never know how many bites or injuries owners’ actions have prevented but we are thankful for those who put measures in place; teaching children how to interact with dogs, respect their boundaries, being responsible while out walking, it all makes a difference.”
Police are continuing to see an unprecedented demand on the force, and alongside other forces across the country say they have no greater funding or resources to respond to these incidents.
They added that they have taken a proactive approach to policing their communities and reducing risk, but this comes at a cost to the taxpayer and ultimately communities.
“We are committed to educating dog owners and doing all we can to help them reduce the risk posed by their pets. We are continuing to work alongside the NHS, charities, and delivery companies to reduce injuries, but we need everyone to do their part.”
