A woman from Darwen has launched a significant campaign to overhaul the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 after her dog was tragically killed in an attack last year. Karen Hawthornwaite's seven-year-old Lhasa Apso, Benji, suffered severe injuries from an off-lead, unmuzzled pocket bulldog, ultimately leading to his euthanasia. Ms Hawthornwaite, 55, is advocating for stronger laws, arguing that the existing legislation does not adequately cover dog-on-dog attacks, particularly those involving cross-breeds.
Despite Ms Hawthornwaite capturing the harrowing 2025 incident on CCTV, Lancashire Police concluded that the attack did not meet the criteria for prosecution under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Ms Hawthornwaite described the terrifying ordeal, stating she was "terrified for my life as well" as she struggled to protect Benji from the powerful dog. She recounted holding onto a lamppost as the attacking dog pulled both her and Benji further into the fray. Benji's injuries were so severe he required a leg amputation before eventually being put down.
The dog involved in the attack was a pocket bulldog, a mixed breed not explicitly listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Ms Hawthornwaite contends that such cross-breeds exploit a "grey area" in the law, allowing potentially dangerous dogs to avoid full accountability. She expressed frustration at the lack of information regarding the attacking dog's current whereabouts, claiming police have "blanked" her requests for details. Lancashire Police confirmed they sought expert advice and determined the incident did not constitute an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act. However, an Acceptable Behaviour Contract was issued to the pocket bulldog's owner, mandating that the dog be kept on a lead in residential areas.
The campaign has garnered support from others who have experienced similar tragedies. Sheena Stoddard, 63, from Bury, joined Ms Hawthornwaite after her own dog, Henry, was killed in an attack in May. Ms Stoddard described reliving the event and now experiences panic attacks when encountering off-lead dogs. She, too, was informed by police that her incident was not considered a prosecutable crime, as her pet was deemed "property." The dog responsible for Henry's death was later euthanised.
Trevor Cooper, a solicitor and dog law specialist, echoed calls for reform, stating, "The law that we have is a complete mess." He suggested it is "high time the Dangerous Dogs Act was perhaps thrown away and let's start again with something that is fit for purpose." The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), responsible for enforcing dog control laws, acknowledged the devastating impact of pet attacks and stated they are working with police, local authorities, and animal welfare groups to promote responsible dog ownership.