Four surprising dog bite statistics UK 2025

Being bitten by a dog is always a shocking experience for the person involved, and often equally surprising to bystanders and even the dog's owner. It’s important to understand that dog bites should never be dismissed lightly—even if physical injury seems minimal. Both dog owners and those bitten need to thoughtfully consider the next steps to promote safety and responsible ownership.

In the UK, legal provisions protect people from dog bites and related injuries with clear consequences for owners where risks are ignored. Determining the context and cause of a bite remains crucial, involving witnesses, dog wardens, police, or courts when necessary. It helps in understanding dog behaviour and preventing future incidents.

While many people may experience a nip or bite at some stage during their lifetime, this does not necessarily mean the dog was aggressive or 'bad'. Considering the close coexistence of humans and dogs in the UK—over 13.5 million dogs with about one in three households owning one—dog bite incidents remain relatively uncommon.

If you've ever been bitten, or wonder how frequent fatal dog bites are, or which breeds bite most often, this article offers some surprising statistics and facts about dog bites in the UK for 2025. Let's explore these findings with care and clarity.

1. You’re more likely to drown in the bath than to die from a dog bite

Fatal dog bite incidents are rare and thus become national headlines when they occur. However, the risk is very low relatively speaking. You’re statistically more likely to drown in your bath or be fatally injured by a cow or pig than to die from a dog bite in the UK.

For perspective, eye disease has a higher mortality rate than dog bites, underscoring the rarity of fatal attacks. It’s a good reason to prioritise routine health checks with your optician rather than fearing dogs.

2. The Dangerous Dogs Act has not reduced dog attack deaths effectively

The Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA), legislated in 1991 to ban four breeds labelled as dangerous, has not lowered fatal dog attack numbers as hoped. Since the Act's introduction, fatalities caused by dog attacks have risen from an average of 1.1 per year to about 2.8 per year.

Although the UK’s canine population has grown by approximately 16% since 1991, this alone does not explain the increase in fatal incidents. Current data suggests the breed ban has not significantly improved safety outcomes.

3. Adults aged 50-59 are at highest risk of serious dog bites requiring hospital admission

Contrary to popular belief that young children are the most vulnerable to dangerous bites, hospital admission data for dog bites in England (2017-2018) shows that adults aged 50-59 are more likely to be seriously bitten to the extent of needing medical treatment.

This suggests bite risk is significant across all ages, with awareness and caution important for adults as well as children.

4. Labrador Retrievers lead in postman bite claims

While many expect aggressive or guardian breeds to top bite statistics, the Labrador Retriever surprisingly results in the highest number of postman bite injury claims according to insurer Animal Friends.

The Lab’s friendliness and sociability are well-known, but any dog can bite if it perceives a threat to its property or family. It’s worth noting that Labradors are the UK’s second most popular breed, so bite statistics correlate with population size.

Additional insights

• Nearly 70% of dog bites happen within the home environment, and 80% of bites to children are from dogs they know.
• Postal workers face particular risk: approximately 42 attacks happen weekly, with some resulting in severe injuries like finger loss.
• Dog bite incidents tend to rise by 10-15% in summer months, coinciding with increased outdoor activity.

Understanding these statistics helps to dispel myths and highlights the importance of responsible dog ownership, education, and safe interaction between dogs and people.

Whether you are considering finding a dog or already own one, prioritising training, supervision, and preparation can reduce bite risk and improve safety for all.