There were more attacks by dogs in Croydon than any other London borough, according to figures from the Metropolitan Police, who recorded close to 9,000 dog incidents across the capital in three years.
Barking: there were more dog attacks in Croydon than any other London borough
In the year to March 2025, there were 153 offences in Croydon involving a dangerously out-of-control dog injuring a person or assistance dog.
Added to the 168 dog attacks in 2023-2024 and 157 in the 12 months before that, there were a total of 478 out-of-control dog attacks leading to injury in Croydon over three years – a rate of 13 dangerous dog attacks every month.
No other London borough had 150 cases in one year, as Croydon managed to repeat that unwanted feat each year from 2022. And these figures are based solely on reported incidents to the Met.
Overall, Greater London witnessed 8,883 out-of-control dog attacks leading to injury.
London-wide, only 122 cases (4%) in 2024-2025 led to an offender being charged, although 28 people received a caution and another 99 cases were closed after a “community resolution”.
London’s stats are unusual compared to the rest of the country. Out of 19 police forces who shared offence data, only the Met Police saw dog attacks reduce over three years.
Large, bulldog-cross dogs are often bought, or bred, as a kind of macho urban status symbol, and are known to be used by some owners to intimidate or threaten others.
The data and research was gathered by compensation lawyers Legal Expert via Freedom of Information requests to every police force in the country.
Legal Expert solicitor Patrick Mallon described the number of attacks as “extremely concerning”.
He said: “In these incidents where a dog has become dangerously out-of-control and has caused injury, it is important that victims know there is support available to them.”
In January 2024, the government implemented new rules about XL Bullies, a type of muscled-up pit bull cross, following attacks across the country.
It is now a legal requirement for all XL Bullies to be kept on a lead and muzzled when out in public, and owners must have a certificate of exemption.
The RSPCA has recently spoken out against the Dangerous Dogs Act. Dr Samantha Gaines, the charity’s head of companion animals, said: “It is absolutely heartbreaking that dog fatalities and serious bite incidents are continuing and in very concerning numbers – which underlines that the Dangerous Dog Act simply isn’t working, and hasn’t been for 34 years.
“The law has been failing dogs and, crucially, public safety, for too long.”
Legal Expert offers support to victims of dangerous dog attacks and free advice on whether they can claim compensation, with a 24-hour helpline and live chat service which you can access via their website.
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News, views and analysis about the people of Croydon, their lives and political times in the diverse and most-populated borough in London.
Based in Croydon and edited by Steven Downes. To contact us, please email inside.croydon@btinternet.com