Researchers at Anglia Ruskin University are assessing the scale of the 'dangerous dogs’ problem and investigating the nature of dog attacks. We're seeking people's views and experiences.
The research team includes Prof Angus Nurse from our Centre for Access to Justice and Inclusion.
More than a year on from the ban on XL Bully dogs, dog attacks remain a problem. There is little evidence to support the idea that placing individual breeds on the banned list will by itself be effective in preventing future attacks. Continued reliance on the banning of individual dog breeds has also drawn criticism from some animal welfare charities. The problem of dog attacks is one that refuses to go away.
This is a complex area and there is a need to consider the circumstances under which dog attacks take place as well as providing support for owners to ensure that their dogs are kept properly under control.
Previous research has identified that the dog bite and dog attack problem is not confined to those dogs classed as dangerous by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Research has shown that other dog breeds are still involved in attacks and that the law is largely reactive, mainly dealing with dogs that are dangerously out of control after an incident has taken place. While banned breeds that are kept under an exemption should be muzzled and on a lead in public this is potentially difficult to enforce. This problem isn't overcome by adding the XL Bully or other dogs to the list of banned breeds. Potentially, it adds to the enforcement issue if additional resources are not also being provided to help with enforcement.
Previously, research has also identified that our knowledge of dog bites and dog attacks is limited by a lack of reliable data on the nature and prevalence of dog attacks. Our knowledge is largely based on the evidence of hospital statistics. This provides a useful picture of those attending hospital as a result of a dog bite, but tells us little about the causes of dog bites or the circumstances in which they occur. The evidence is limited and inconclusive.
There have been studies on individual communities, as well as studies of deaths from dog attacks – although thankfully fatalities are relatively rare.
We also have some statistics on the level of reported dog bite incidents and official statistics on prosecutions for dog attack offences. But again, this data does not tell us much about why dog attack incidents occur.
Prior research carried out for the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) concluded that we needed to improve recording of information about dog attacks and examine the different types of dog attack that take place. Collection of better data and in-depth understanding of how, why and where dog attacks take place will allow us to identify ways of preventing dog attacks.
Researchers at ARU are collecting evidence on the nature of dog bite incidents. We'll use this to develop an evidence base of the types of dog attack incidents that take place.
This research is funded by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, but conducted by independent researchers from ARU.
We are specifically seeking the views of:
We're using an online questionnaire to collect your views.
We invite you to complete the questionnaire at https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/angliaruskin/safety-around-dogs