Dog attacks

Summary

The Isle of Man Constabulary provided statistics on dog attacks from 2021 to November 2024, including breakdowns for off-lead incidents and unspecified lead usage. The authority confirmed that all requested information was released, though data on formal warnings issued to unique owners was not included in the response.

Key Facts

• The request covered dog attack figures from 2021 to 5 November 2024.
• The response included counts for total attacks, off-lead attacks, and attacks where lead use was not specified.
• Total dog attacks reported in 2024 (up to November) were 30.
• The authority did not provide figures on how many attacks led to formal warnings for unique owners.
• The request was processed and closed on 2 December 2024.

Data Disclosed

• 30
• 10
• 15
• 20
• 14
• 3
• 14
• 9
• 4
• 13
• 7
• 4
• 2021
• 2022
• 2023
• 2024
• 5 November 2024
• 2 December 2024
• 4240205

Original Request

Dear Sir, Please may you provide me with the figures for instances and reports of off-lead dog attacks for each year between 2021 to current (5 November 2024). I understand a member of the public can 'inform' the police of an instance of a dog attack whereby details of the owner are taken, but a formal report isn't filed. Please also include these in the breakdown of figures. Please may you also provide how many of the dog attacks have led to a formal warning being issued to unique owners. Thank-you.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Isle of Man Constabulary Freedom of Information Police Headquarters Dukes Avenue Douglas Isle of Man IM2 4RG

Our ref: 4240205 2 December 2024

Dear

We write further to your request, received 5 November 2024, which states:

"Dear Sir,

Please may you provide me with the figures for instances and reports of off-lead dog attacks for each year between 2021 to current (5 November 2024).

I understand a member of the public can 'inform' the police of an instance of a dog attack whereby details of the owner are taken, but a formal report isn't filed. Please also include these in the breakdown of figures.

Please may you also provide how many of the dog attacks have led to a formal warning being issued to unique owners.

Thank-you."

Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

Year Total number of Dog Attacks Count of ‘Off-Lead’ Dog Attacks Count of Dog Attacks where use of a Lead is Not Specified *2024 30 10 15 2023 20 14 3 2022 14 9 4 2021 13 7 4

Please quote the reference number 4240205 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely