Dangerous dogs

Dangerous dogs are the responsibility of the police

If you want to report a dangerous dog, contact the Police on the non-emergency number, 101.

You may be required to provide the following details of the incident:

• Where and when the dog was last seen
• What the behaviour of the dog was (what happened)
• A description of the dog (that is the breed, size, colour, distinguishing features)
• Any known information regarding the owner (name or address)
• Photographic evidence of any injuries sustained by the attack (or a statement from a vet)

You may also be required to provide evidence in Court should the owner be prosecuted. 

What is a dangerous dog?

A dangerous dog could be:

• A dog attacking a person
• A dog attacking another dog
• A dog attacking another animal
• A specific breed of dog that is deemed to be dangerous or banned

There is a clear difference between a dog behaving dangerously and a dog that is out in a public space without its owner, which is a stray dog.

Go to the stray and lost dogs web page to find out how to tell us about a stray or lost dog.