Doncaster woman calls for dog licences to be brought in for owners after her pet gets killed
PJ the Jackapoo was attacked by her neighbours' dog at the start of 2026
Last updated 21st Apr 2026
There's a call for dog owners in South Yorkshire & North Derbyshire to face 'harsher punishments' - if their pets cause fear or injury to others.
Doncaster woman Rebecca Thomson says stricter rules & regulations are needed.
Rebecca's 12-year-old Jackapoo -PJ- was killed by her neighbours' dog - when it bit him through the fence - at the start of this year:
"I think you need to know your breed.
"As a dog owner, you need to know what you're doing.
"You need to do your research on your dog.
"The dog next door broke the fence, put its head under, and pulled PJ half-way through it and trapped him - PJ was like a rag-toy.
"The vet had to turn away and compose himself when he saw the extent of the injuries.
"He told us we didn't have any alternative really other than to put PJ to sleep.
"There needs to be a tighter law.
"Bring back the dog licence.
"People should be made accountable for the dogs they've got.
"If these can't look after their dogs, then they shouldn't have them.
"Buy a little lapdog if you don't have the time to walk a bigger breed that needs more mental and physical stimulation.
"More people are getting dogs for a statement, and then they don't know how to train them."
This is after our exclusive investigation showed there was a 71% rise in the number of dog attacks in South Yorkshire from 2021-2025.
In response to this incident - South Yorkshire Police said:
“Officers, through enquiries and witness statements were unable to ascertain how the victim dog succumbed to its injuries as neither dog had left their own property’s garden.
“As the investigation progressed, it was found that the dog involved had no previous reports of concern to police and had not injured a person.
“As with every call we receive into our control room, it is risk assessed and when officers attend the scene, they carry out a further risk assessment as to what danger the dog poses to those living in the home or surrounding community.
“In this case, the owner of the dog was made aware that if their dog was to commit further fear or injury, it could be seized, and agreed to work with our officer, engaging in restorative justice, completing a Responsible Dog Ownership Course with the Blue Cross Charity and putting measures in place to ensure the dog could not cause injury or fear.
“Seizing a dog is never a decision taken lightly but if an officer deems the dog to be a risk to others, it will be taken into police kennels.
“We are committed to educating dog owners on responsible ownership and urge you to remember that you as a dog owner are responsible for your dog’s actions.
“You are the one who will be held responsible, and if necessary, put before the courts to determine your and your dog’s future.”
Both the RSPCA & Dogs Trust said earlier this year that they'd be in favour of the re-introduction of a modern dog licencing scheme in the UK.