Fifteen dog attacks and counting across London since the start of the year have seen children as young as seven bitten, puppies mauled to death, and a police horse savaged. On January 12 Londoner Natasha Johnston, 28, was walking a number of dogs in Caterham, Surrey, when she was killed in a frenzied attack by eight dogs, though none were banned breeds.
It comes as the number of dog attacks recorded by police in England and Wales rose by more than a third in the last five years, according to a BBC investigation. There were nearly 22,000 dog attacks in 2022 compared to 16,000 in 2018, while the UK dog population has grown by 15% due to a surge in pet ownership during the pandemic.
Charities suspect the lockdown ‘puppy boom’ could be behind the rise in incidents, as dog owners were unable to give their pets access to socialisation and training. Dog’s Trust Maria Murray told LBC: “We know that a lack of socialisation in early life can lead to fear or worry and most cases of aggression come from fear and worry.”
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Jan 12 – London woman, 28, mauled to death in Surrey
Dog walker Natasha Johnston, 28, was mauled to death by a pack of eight dogs while walking them on a bridle path at Gravelly Hill in Caterham, Surrey, on January 12. None of the dogs were a banned breed and were taken into private kennels in the aftermath of the attack. Police have since said no-one will be prosecuted for the attack.
You can read the full story here.
Jan 26 – Dog breaks arm of woman, 74, in Ealing
A 74-year-old woman attacked by a dog in Ealing had a ‘large chunk of tendon and muscle’ torn from her arm. She and another woman were rushed to hospital after the attack on White Hart Roundabout in Northolt on January 26. The pair had stopped to share details after a small crash when the random dog appeared to unleash terror on them.
You can read the full story here.
Feb 2 – Boy, 13, rushed to hospital after dog attack at bus stop
A 13-year-old boy was rushed to hospital after he was bitten by a dog at a bus stop in East London. Paramedics rushed to the stop on Burdett Road in Mile End, opposite Mile End Leisure Centre, on February 2. They found the teenager with bite wounds and rushed him to hospital for treatment.
You can read the full story here.
February 20 – Spaniel puppy savaged to death by massive bulldog
A mum was forced to watch a ‘massive’ bulldog brutalise her 11-year-old son’s six-month-old puppy to death. She was left helpless watching the horrific attack while screaming for help on February 20. Owner Anna had to prize open the jaws of the beast to free her spaniel puppy Felix during a lunch-time walk in Bromley.
You can read the full story here.
March 23 – Dog attacks police horse in East London park
A shocking video showed what appeared to be an American bulldog with its jaws locked onto the leg of a police horse in Hackney’s Victoria Park. In the clip, the horse can be seen frantically rocking back and forth as it tries unsuccessfully to shake the dog off whilst the officer clings on for dear life.
You can read the full story here.
April 1 – Girl, 11, rushed to hospital after dog attack in Erith
An 11-year-old girl was rushed to hospital after she was attacked by a dog in South East London. Armed police were called to an address in Byron Drive in Erith on April 1, to reports of a child being injured following a dog attack. A woman was arrested on suspicion of obstructing police and having a dog that was dangerously out of control.
You can read the full story here.
May 7 – Two dogs shot dead by Met Police
Two dogs were shot dead by armed police in East London after an alleged attack on a woman. The dogs’ owner, 46-year-old Louie Turnbull, was also tasered and has since been charged with being the person/owner of a dog that was dangerously out of control, and being in possession/custody of a dog whilst disqualified from owning or keeping a dog.
You can read the full story here.
May 12 – Man jailed after dog attack left girl, 11, with broken bones
An East London man whose dog savaged an 11-year-old girl, leaving her with broken bones, has been sent to prison. Siddique Ali, 43, of Ackroyd Drive in Mile End, was jailed for 14 months for being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury to a person at Snaresbrook Crown Court on May 12.
You can read the full story here.
May 31 – Child and 2 men attacked by German Shepherd
A child and two men were attacked by a German Shepherd dog in South London. Police raced to Broughton Road in Thornton Heath on May 31 and found a youngster and a man with bite injuries. They were then approached by another man who had been attacked by the same dog.
You can read the full story here.
June 6 – Woman attacked by out of control dogs in Lambeth
A terrifying video posted online shows the moment out of control dogs attacked a woman in South London. The video, which has been shared widely on social media, shows three of what appears-to-be Pit Bulls attacking a member of the public, as the alleged owner struggles to keep them under control.
You can read the full story here.
Other incidents across London
Elsewhere in London a woman and her three dogs were attacked in Hainault Country Park on March 22, a puppy was left with a collapsed lung after an attack in Brent Park on April 17, a man was hospitalised after a double dog attack in Bushy Park on May 1, and a woman was left fighting for her life after an attack in Enfield on May 5.
On May 9 a 53-year-old woman had her leg broken after an attack by an XL Bully type dog in Chessington. In May a man was also fined £271 for letting his Italian Greyhound chase deer in Richmond Park in March. Just two days ago a Pomeranian was mauled to to death by an American Bulldog in Clapham Common on June 12.
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