Suffolk Police FOI reveals sharp increase in number of dangerous dogs destroyed in the county in 2024

The number of dangerous dogs destroyed in Suffolk saw a sharp increase this year, figures have revealed.

The data, obtained after a Freedom of Information request by SuffolkNews, shows that in 2023, there were seven dangerous dogs destroyed in the county, compared to 25 destroyed as of October this year.

A Suffolk Police spokesperson said the increase in dangerous dogs destroyed was likely due to the new XL Bully legislation which was introduced in February.

Following 250 dangerous dog incidents in 2024, a RSPCA spokesperson said they were devastated and that banning breeds does not protect the public from dog bite incidents.

The breeds of dog destroyed in 2024 included: XL bullies (nine), cane corso (three), German shepherd (three), pit bull terrier (two), American bulldog (two), GSD cross, kangal shepherd dog, rottweiler, Jack Russell cross, terrier, and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Pointer.

Most of the dogs destroyed came under Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 – where it is a criminal offence to allow any dog to be dangerously out of control in any place.

However, all nine of the XL bullies and two pit bull terriers, were destroyed under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, which prohibits the ownership of certain types of dogs, unless they are exempt on the Index of Exempt Dogs and was intended to have a preventative effect.

XL bullies were added to the Section 1 list of prohibited breeds in February and it became illegal to own an XL Bully unless deemed exempt.

A RSPCA spokesperson said there was a lot of evidence which shows that banning breeds does not protect the public from dog bite incidents.

“We’re all devastated by tragic incidents involving dogs and we agree there is an urgent need to provide effective protection for the public and try to prevent future dog bites,” they said.

“However, banning specific types of dog - including the American XL Bully type - is not the answer.

“Aggressive behaviour is a complex interaction between how a dog is bred as well as lifetime experiences. While these types of dogs are typically large and powerful, that doesn’t mean they’re more likely to show aggression than any other type of dog.

“All dogs are individuals and whether or not a dog displays aggressive behaviour comes down to how they’ve been bred, reared and their life experiences.”

The spokesperson said that the organisation’s primary concern over the current legislation banning the keeping of five types of dogs (pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Braziliero and the XL Bully), is the failure of the current approach to effectively protect public safety.

They added that scientific evidence has shown that breed is not a reliable or good predictor of risk of aggressive behaviour.

“We are also hugely concerned about the negative impact that this ban has had on tens of thousands of dogs and their owners, as well as all of those dogs whose behaviour poses no risk but will lose their lives in the future,” the spokesperson said.

“We want to see the UK Government commit to tackling the root causes of aggressive behaviour in dogs which are complex but include improving and enforcing current breeding and dog control regulations, and to promote responsible dog ownership, in order to effectively protect public safety while also ensuring better dog welfare.”