The XL Bully has been linked to violent attacks on humans
© Jacob KingThe XL Bully has been linked to violent attacks on humans
The North West of England had the highest number of fatal dog attacks of any region over the past five years.

In total, 48 people across England and Wales died after being bitten or struck by a dog between 2019 and 2024, according to data obtained by The i Paper.

Thirteen people were killed in the North West - more than a quarter of all dog-related deaths.

Dog attacks remain rare and there is often no single reason behind them.

However, the number of fatal attacks in England and Wales peaked in 2022 when 19 people died.

The rise could be in part down to the fact more people own dogs, but also the popularity of XL Bullies - a breed linked to violent attacks on humans. Experts also said criminal gangs breeding dangerous dogs for profit and under-prepared owners who bought pets during the pandemic may have contributed to the attacks.

The second-highest number of dog-related fatalities took place in the South West and Wales, with seven deaths in each region from 2019 to 2024. There were six deaths in the West Midlands.

The figures, obtained from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), showed the North West of England also had the highest concentration of areas recording more than one fatal dog attack. Liverpool, Oldham and St Helens had six attacks between them.

It is unclear why the North West has had the highest number of fatal attacks.

Separate figures from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs - given to The Spectator magazine in 2024 - showed a high population of XL Bullies in the region. More than half of the 10 areas with the highest population were situated in the North West.

Dr Candy d'Sa, an animal behaviour consultant and expert in animal law, previously told The i Paper that XL Bullies had gained popularity because of a general trend towards owning larger dogs.

She also said the North West appeared to be a hotspot for the breed.

The crackdown on XL Bullies - the breed was banned in February 2024 following a spate of violent attacks on people, including children - may be behind the drop in fatalities after 2022, according to the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC).

There were nine deaths in 2023 and six in 2024, according to provisional data.

Chief Constable Mark Hobrough of the NPCC said: "Undoubtedly the ban and our response to it has driven down the number of dog attacks and we are pleased that the public continues to support us by reporting suspected XL Bully dogs in their local area."

Police have seized more than 4,500 XL Bullies since the ban.

Hobrough highlighted the need for "responsible dog ownership", adding: "People need to be aware of the types of dogs that they're bringing into their homes and make the right decisions to choose a breed which suits their lifestyle, environment and experience."

The i Paper's figures showed dog-related death between 2019 and 2024 were more likely to occur in summer, with seven recorded deaths in July. Two were recorded in December.

Rick Berry, a public policy researcher of dog-related issues, said unprepared dog owners who bought their pets during the pandemic could be partly responsible for attacks, as well as poor breeding practices.

"We need to look in more detail at the impacts of the 'pandemic puppies' trend... This meant we have larger numbers of inexperienced dog owners, whose pets may not have been properly socialised because of the Covid-19 restrictions.

"Added to that, the higher demand for dogs may have led to a surge in poor breeding practices. It is quite possible we have been seeing the effects of this now in the dog attack statistics."

Another factor in the attacks could be the role of criminal gangs who profit from breeding and selling certain dangerous breeds.

In 2022 - when there was a rise in the number of fatalities - Ian Briggs, acting head of the RSPCA's special operations unit, told The Mirror: "There are criminal gangs involved - certainly around the Bully XL market - that have obviously seen a way of coining in a huge amount of cash.

"If you are looking at between £2,000 to £5,000 for a puppy and you get four puppies out of a dog, it's a lot of money. They are making hundreds of thousands of pounds."
Fatal dog attacks - by region

North West - 13
South West - 7
Wales - 7
West Midlands - 6
South East - 5
East Midlands - 3
North East - 2
Yorkshire and the Humber - 2
London - 2
East of England - 1
The Dogs Trust, which helps rehome dogs, said dog attacks are rare and there is not a single answer as to why they happen.

A spokesperson for the charity said: "Around a third of all UK households now own a dog, and most dogs live harmoniously with their families without incident.

"Unfortunately, there does appear to be a rise in the number of dog bites and dog related injuries and there isn't a simple answer as to why this is. There has been a large increase in the number of families owning dogs, and therefore the number of reported incidents is likely to rise.

"However, the increase also could be down to dogs not being able to access socialisation and training opportunities at critical stages of development during the pandemic."

The charity is calling for dog control laws to be replaced with one consolidated law that allows for early intervention for dangerous dogs. It would focus on the prevention of dog bite incidents and include measures that deter and punish owners of dangerous dogs.