Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of serious dog attacks on victims, including the physical injuries sustained, psychological harm, loss of employment, financial hardship, and wider detriment to their quality of life.

This Government recognises the significant impact dog attacks can have on victims and their families.

Defra commissioned the Responsible Dog Ownership taskforce to review the available data on dog attacks and their consequences. The taskforce has produced a report, which will be published in due course.

Defra continues to work with the police, animal welfare organisations and other experts to review existing measures that promote responsible dog ownership and safety from dangerous dogs The Government has already acted to improve public safety, including by prohibiting XL Bully type dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. From 1 November 2026, a new child safety measure will also apply to exempted banned breed dogs.