May 12, 2025 | Incident and Crime Statistics , Wildlife and Animal Welfare
Request Number: FOI/14428
Category: Crime/Incident Statistics – Serious and Organised Crime
Subject: Dog Attacks, Seizures, and Destroyed
Request and Answer:
Request 1
I would like to request the following under the FOI Act for the years between and including 2019 and 2024.
The number of out-of-control dog causing injury to a person or guide dog offences
Answer 1
There were 23 police recorded crime offences of ‘Being Keeper Of Dog Injuring Person(s)’ from 1 January 2019 -31 December 2024.
Figures for offences recorded from 1st April 2024 are subject to ongoing validation and quality assurance processes until publication in May 2025; annual revisions to previously published financial year figures may also be applied at this time.
Request 2
The number of these offences involving XL Bullies
Answer 2
6 of these occurrences involved XL Bully dogs.
Request 3
The number of dogs seized
Answer 3
1 dog seized by police and removed to NUTTS Corner shelter.
Request 4
The number of these seizures involving XL Bullies
Answer 4
1.
Request 5
The number of dogs destroyed
Answer 5
Between 2019 and 2024 PSNI officers humanely destroyed one out of control dog by discharging their firearm. This occurred in 2023.
Request 6
The number of these destructions involving XL Bullies
Answer 6
1 - The dog humanely destroyed was an XL Bully.