The number of aggressive or out of control dogs across Greater Manchester has risen by 72% since 2020, according to Greater Manchester Police’s latest data.
The data published in November 2023 showed that the number of incidents has risen from 768 in 2020, to a staggering 1,324 incidents recorded between January and October last year.
The entire city region has seen a rise in reports of dangerously out of control dogs, with eight of the 13 areas recorded in the data, seeing more than 100 incidents in that time.
Wigan reported the most incidents in that time, with 193, which is 40 more than the area with the second highest, Bolton.
Consistently recording the highest number of incidents, the number of reports in Wigan has risen by 80% in the past three years.
This is considerably higher than other areas in Greater Manchester, including the centre of Manchester, which recorded just 31 incidents between January and October last year.
Dangerous dogs were subject to wide debate last year when XL bullies were declared a banned breed by the Government.
The number of recorded XL bully attacks rose across the UK last year, with some incidents ending in fatalities.
However, many XL bully owners say that these incidents are the fault of the owner rather than the breed itself.
Manchester residents Jake and Kelly Mattison adopted their dog Lyla, who is a bully breed, two and a half years ago after she was rescued by police and taken to the RSPCA.
“I think a dangerous dog is a bit of a false statement, I think it’s the right dog for the right handler”, Jake said.
“Even if you do have a dog that is reactive and does have tendencies to be dog aggressive, if you can put the right amount of responsibility in and make that commitment then you will keep the community around you safe.”
The ban on selling, abandoning or breeding XL bullies came into effect on December 31 and it will become a criminal offence to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate on February 1.
Now, XL bullies must be muzzled and on a lead at all times when out of the house, even those who can behave safely in public.
“It’s a big loss for my dog because she’d be out every single day. We hike with her, we do long walks with her, she’s always off lead, her recall’s perfect and she’s completely brilliant with all other dogs and people,” Jake said.
But he clarified that the responsibility of having a dog should not be understated.
“I don’t think having a dog should just be a right that everybody can have, I think having a dog is a big responsibility no matter the size or the breed.
“Owning a dog and having a dog as part of your family is a privilege so I think it’s solely about ownership – responsible ownership.”
The rise in owners allowing their dog to be dangerously out of control wasn't just seen in Wigan, but across the entirety of Greater Manchester.
The north of Manchester had the biggest percentage increase over the past three years, with a 190% increase - recording almost three times the amount of incidents than in 2020.
While every area in Greater Manchester recorded an increase in incidents in the past three years, it was the city centre that saw the biggest change.
North, Central and South Manchester have all seen incidents double since 2020, while Bolton recorded an 89% increase.
While Stockport did not record the lowest number of reports, the area did see the smallest increase since 2020 at only 8%.
Tameside also record a low percentage increase at only 17%, even though the area recorded over 100 incidents annually since 2021.
While bans are put in place for XL bullies, it seems the rise in out of control dogs across the city region began long before the restrictions came into effect.
“The RSPCA expects owners to ensure that their dogs’, and their own behaviour in respect of their dog, does not unreasonably compromise the health, safety or well-being of other persons or animals and so where necessary should ensure their dog is under control,” a spokesperson for the RSPCA said.
“But owners should also be aware that in general, dogs which use aggression are doing so because they feel threatened and so are experiencing a negative emotional state or very simply are unhappy in particular situations.
“We would also remind people that any dog can bite and urge the public to learn how to safely interact with dogs and to recognise and understand the body language and signs that show how a dog is feeling in order to respond appropriately.”
Greater Manchester Police has been approached for comment on the rise in out of control dogs.
Featured Image: Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
