Data shows increase in dog attacks across Kent
Figures have risen steadily over the past 5 years
Data from Kent Police shows a rise in dog attacks across Kent over the last five years. A Freedom of Information Request submitted shows that over 1,200 cases were reported in the last two years, up from 916 in 2021, with figures increasing each year.
Most recently in 2025 1,260 cases were reported.
Expert Advice
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio Kent, Dr Samantha Gaines from the RSPCA said:
"The evidence is pointing towards the situation with dog bites is getting worse, and we do need to make sure that the government takes action to ensure that people are adequately and effectively protected around dogs."
She added that while there was no clear contributing factor for this ongoing increase, there were many contributing influences, such as COVID and the cost of living crisis:
"Unfortunately, what we did see during COVID was a large influx of dogs from outside of the UK coming into the UK at a time where it was very difficult for us to socialise dogs appropriately.
"And what we do know is that when it comes to aggressive behaviour, typically whether or not a dog will go on to use aggressive behaviour is dependent upon how they've been bred, how they've been reared in their lifetime experiences."
Advice for owners
Dr Gaines added that there were things responsible pet owners could do to keep people safe:
"One of the key things to basically managing dog bites is helping the public and dog owners understand how to interact safely around dogs and that's absolutely key.
"So certainly what we would encourage anyone who has a dog to understand is to make sure that if they have concerns around their dog's behaviour, if their dog, for example, appears anxious or fearful or is displaying aggression towards other people and dogs, that they seek help and do so through their vet.
"So get their vet to check that their dog is physically healthy and if there are no underlying medical problems to then seek behavioural help.
"Dogs will use a lot of signals to communicate to us how they're feeling and if particularly they find something worrying and they will show a range of behaviours such as tucked tail, very low ear carriage, so having their ears flat against their head, being clutched on the ground.
"Understanding these signals and then being able to behave in such a way that reduces the threat for that dog is then likely to reduce the likelihood of the dog then potentially using aggressive behaviour."
"So understanding and recognising signs that dogs use when they're anxious or worried is really helpful and can help avoid these situations."