Campaign for Legal Reform Following Fatal Dog Attack
Karen Hawthornwaite, 55, from Darwen, has initiated a campaign to amend the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 after her dog, Benji, a seven-year-old Lhasa Apso, was fatally attacked by a pocket bulldog in 2025. The pocket bulldog was off-lead and unmuzzled at the time of the incident, which resulted in Benji requiring euthanasia due to severe injuries.
Despite having CCTV footage of the attack, Karen reported that the incident did not satisfy the legal criteria for prosecution under current legislation.
"We were all terrified, not just Benji, I was terrified for my life as well,"she stated. Karen advocates for a change in the law to ensure that all dog-on-dog attacks are addressed with appropriate seriousness.
Lancashire Police confirmed that they sought expert advice but determined the case did not meet the threshold for prosecution under the Dangerous Dogs Act. The Act allows for offences related to external dog attacks on other animals; however, decisions to prosecute are made on a case-by-case basis by individual police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service.
Karen recounted the attack occurred mere metres from her home.
"I saw Benji in my arms then just looking up at me like 'just help me Mum',"she told BBC North West Tonight.
"I had to hold on to the lamppost because this dog was that strong, it was pulling me and it was pulling Benji further in."
The attack inflicted serious injuries on Benji, necessitating the amputation of his leg before he was ultimately euthanised.
The attacking dog was identified as a pocket bulldog, a cross-breed not listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Karen highlighted that such mixed breeds occupy a "grey area" in legislation, enabling dangerous dogs to evade full legal consequences.
"I don't even know where this dog is now,"she said.
"The police haven't told me. I've asked for all this information and I've just been blanked,"she added.
A Lancashire Police spokesperson reiterated that expert advice was sought and the incident did not meet the criteria for offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act. However, to prevent recurrence, the owner of the pocket bulldog was issued an Acceptable Behaviour Contract under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. This contract includes conditions such as keeping the dog on a lead at all times in residential areas.
Similar Incident Experienced by Another Pet Owner
Sheena Stoddard, 63, from Bury, Greater Manchester, is another pet owner affected by a fatal dog-on-dog attack. Sheena met Karen through the campaign after her dog Henry was killed in a similar incident in May.
Sheena described how she was walking Henry when she noticed an off-lead dog without an owner and attempted to avoid it. Despite her efforts, the dog attacked and killed Henry.
"I keep reliving the event, I keep seeing Henry's face,"Sheena said.
"I leave the house now and if we go anywhere and there's a dog of any size off a lead, I have a panic attack, I freeze, I can't move."
Sheena ran for help and contacted the police.
"The police came to me that night and said their bosses were saying they couldn't prosecute because it wasn't a crime,"she recalled.
"He was a pet, so therefore property."
Sheena expressed her distress over the situation.
"I feel distraught like he's lost his life for nothing,"she said.
"Like it doesn't count."
The attacking dog was subsequently euthanised.
Expert Opinion on Current Legislation
Trevor Cooper, a solicitor and specialist in dog law, criticized the existing legislation regarding dog-on-dog attacks.
"We're all fed up of hearing about these incidents,"he said.
"There are victims who deserve better and the law that we have is a complete mess.
It is high time the Dangerous Dogs Act was perhaps thrown away and let's start again with something that is fit for purpose."
Government and Organisation Responses
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), responsible for guidance on dog control laws, acknowledged the impact of pet attacks. A Defra spokesperson stated:
"We recognise that attacks on pets can have a devastating impact on owners and we take these incidents seriously.
We continue to work with the police, local authorities and animal welfare groups to encourage responsible dog ownership across all breeds and ensure the current dog control rules are sufficient to protect communities."
Dogs Trust UK also commented on the issue, emphasizing the need for legislative reform. A spokesperson said:
"For more than 30 years, Dogs Trust has been calling on the Government to overhaul the Dangerous Dogs Act, as its current focus on breed-specific legislation is not only detrimental to dog welfare, but it is ineffective and does little to protect members of the public.
Instead, the issue of dog control should be tackled by introducing preventative, breed-neutral legislation which addresses the unscrupulous breeders who are putting profit before welfare, and owners whose dogs are out of control."
Greater Manchester Police responded to Sheena's case by outlining their approach to dangerous dogs and banned breeds. A spokesperson said:
"When we come across or receive information about such a dog we will proactively look to seize it so it can be assessed by our experts and an informed decision can be made as to whether or not to allow that dog to remain with its owner.
Public safety is always at the heart of any decision we make, and we have several criminal and civil powers that allow us to take this approach."
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