18/11/2025
This is quite scary reading in just one week
NEWS: Children and adults attacked- dog owners urged to step up
This week, our response and armed officers have responded to a series of deeply distressing dog attacks involving both children and adults across South Yorkshire.
In several cases, officers have put themselves directly in harms way to contain aggressive animals and protect the public.
These incidents are a stark reminder that such attacks are preventable — and that responsible dog ownership is not optional, it’s essential.
As we head into the weekend, with children off school and families gathering, we are urging everyone to take responsibility and ensure their pets are properly controlled.
We have already seen fatal dog attacks in South Yorkshire and we fear it may only be a matter of time before another life is lost if action isn’t taken.
Since Saturday, 8 November, we’ve received 39 reports of dogs causing fear or harm in our communities.
On Monday 10 November at 5am, emergency services attended a property in Bolton-Upon-Dearne after a family dog, a Pocket Bully, savaged a man’s face, leaving him with life-altering injuries.
The following day, Tuesday 11 November at 10pm officers responded to the Ecclesfield area of Sheffield after a two-year-old child was attacked by a neighbours Pocket Bully, causing injury to the child’s face.
Moving into Wednesday 12 November, the demand continued with armed officers responding to the Firth Park area of Sheffield after a caller was in fear of her life, after her Cane Corso was going ‘berserk’ and acting aggressively.
On Thursday 13 November response and armed officers descended to the Fox Hill Road area of Sheffield after a woman walking her dogs was aggressively approached and attacked by a loose Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Officers managed to corral the dog and capture it.
Later on in the day, emergency services attended East Herringthorpe in Rotherham after a seven-year-old had their face attacked by a family Jack Russel. The child required surgery to their lips.
These are not isolated events — they are part of a growing and deeply concerning trend.
We need every dog owner to take this seriously. Secure your pets, talk to your children, let’s work together to prevent further harm.
