Nearly 300 dogs were seized by North East police forces under the Dangerous Dogs Act in the last three and a half years, it can be revealed.

Data obtained by The Northern Echo through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests details that a total of 291 dogs were seized by Northumbria Police and Durham Constabulary from January 2020 to September 2023.

The dogs in question were seized for attacks on humans or other dogs during this period under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 which sets out powers to seize a dog regardless of breed which is "dangerously out of control."

The data also shows both forces have seen an increase in seizures prompted by attacks year on year.

In 2020, Durham Police seized 10 dogs under the act, rising to 11 in 2021 and 13 in 2022. Latest data from police stated that from January to September 2023, 10 dogs were seized.

The same data provided by Northumbria Police revealed that in the same three-and-a-half-year period, 247 dogs were seized under the same premise.

Like Durham, Northumbria Police have seen a year-on-year rise in the number of dogs seized. In 2020, officers seized 46 dogs under the act, rising to 48 in 2021 and 63 in 2022.

Data from January to December 2023 shows the force surpassed previous yearly records in just nine months, seizing 90 dogs. 

Out of the 291 seized, 173 were subsequently destroyed by police which equals to nearly 60%.

Durham Constabulary destroyed 21 of its total 44 dogs seized whilst Northumbria Police destroyed 152 out of 247.

In response to questioning on criteria for dogs being euthanised, Durham Constabulary explained the decision to destroy a dog is based on "several factors", including whether the dog poses any threat to the public.

A Durham Constabulary spokesperson said: "If a dog poses an immediate threat to the safety of the public, the police or other responsible person (e.g., vet/local authority) can order that the dog be lawfully destroyed.

"An owner can disclaim a dog and sign it over to the police. If the owner does not wish to do this and we have concerns around the risk it poses if it was returned, we can seek a forfeiture order, granted from the courts.

"The decision to destroy a dog is based on several factors; we take into consideration why it has been brought to our attention, its socialisation, whether it has complex needs and if it could be rehomed or rehabilitated, would it lead a healthy, happy life, where it couldn’t cause harm or fear."

The force also clarified that dogs that are euthanised by the police are usually cremated, and the family are offered their ashes "at their expense". 

Durham Constabulary also issued advice to owners to avoid seizures including taking precautions such as microchipping.

They said: "Owners of dogs have a responsibility to ensure that their pet doesn’t cause a nuisance to others and doesn’t harm itself, or those around it.

"This means they must comply with certain laws, including wearing a collar and tag with the name and address of the owner, microchipping the dog, and controlling the dog in public.

"It is against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, such as a public place, in a private place, or the owner’s home."

In response to the findings, Northumbria Police spokesperson recognised the force has seen an increase in dangerous dog incidents as they claim an increase in dog ownership has boosted seizures.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "We recognise there has been an increase in our Force area for the number of dogs seized in recent years under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

"There are a number of contributing factors for this, including an increase in dog ownership across the region. We have also seen an increase in owners requesting police assistance in seizing their dogs following an incident.

"As a Force, we continue to review any incidents involving a dog considered to be dangerous on a case-by-case basis, with a view to ensuring the safety of the wider public.

"If the decision is taken by police to seize a dog, or if a dog is surrendered to us, a full assessment will be carried out by specially-trained officers in our Dog Section to determine the most suitable course of action.

"Where a dog is deemed dangerous, officers will provide a recommendation to the courts on whether a control order should be granted for the animal – for example, leading to conditions such as being muzzled or walked on a lead in a public place.

"In some cases, it is recommended that the dog should be euthanised, however the final decision is determined at court. Reaching this outcome is not taken lightly, and we will continue to review all instances on an individual basis to ensure the safety of everyone involved."

In response to the Dangerous Dog Act, the legislation under which the dogs were seized, RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines stated that dog aggression is "very complex" as she notes "a troubling increase in dog bites and fatalities".

She said: "Aggression in dogs is very complex and there are different reasons why a dog might bite such as an underlying medical condition or injury, or fear of certain situations or circumstances.

"Almost 33 years of the Dangerous Dogs Act, which has focused on banning specific types, has coincided with a troubling increase in dog bites and fatalities which shows that this approach simply isn't working.

"Instead, the UK Government should be committing to the enforcement and improvement of current breeding and dog control regulations, and to promoting responsible dog ownership and training.

"Improving the way dogs are bred, controlled and treated throughout their lives is key to preventing dog bite incidents.

"A licensing scheme has the potential to generate money that could be used to help improve dog welfare and tackle the issues around dog ownership including dog health and welfare, antisocial behaviour involving dogs, dog bite incidents, stray dogs, population issues and risks to human health."

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The same FOI request submitted to Cleveland Police revealed that 1 dog was seized in 2020, and 1 in 2021 under Section 3 (dangerously out of control) of the Dangerous Dogs Act.

One of the dogs was rehomed, whilst the fate of the other remains "unknown". 

An FOI was also submitted to North Yorkshire Police, but no data was provided.