Four people have died in brutal dog attacks in the West Midlands in the last five years, and many more have been seriously injured. Incidents involving out-of-control dogs have more than doubled since the pandemic, with data showing 1,325 attacks causing injury in 2025 recorded by West Midlands Police. That is more than three attacks every day in the region and marks a three per cent increase from 2024's figure of 1,281 incidents. The dramatic rise becomes even starker when compared to 2020, when just 545 such incidents were recorded.
Toddler Mauled in Pub Garden
A toddler aged just two was left with 'serious injuries' after being mauled by a dog in a Midland pub beer garden. Onlookers said the child, who had been playing with plastic dinosaurs and sitting with his mother, was 'covered in blood' after the attack at The Wulstan in North Staffordshire at 3:06 pm on Wednesday, July 15. He is now receiving emergency treatment in hospital.
Lila Hall: Death in Wolverhampton
A 78-year-old woman was pronounced dead after allegedly being attacked by an out-of-control dog in Wolverhampton earlier this year. Lila Hall—also known as Carol—died following an incident at a house in Willis Pearson Avenue, Wolverhampton, on Wednesday, April 15. Emergency services were called to the property but, tragically, nothing could be done. Matthew Williams, 37, from Wolverhampton, has been charged with one count of being the owner/person in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog, causing injury resulting in death. Williams will appear at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court on August 4.
Woman Requires Surgery After Pershore Road Attack
A woman needed surgery after being bitten by a dog in Birmingham. She was walking along Pershore Road at around 8:30 am on 14 October 2025 when she was attacked. West Midlands Police appealed to find the owner of the dog.
Nicholas Glass: Back Garden Death
Nicholas Glass, 33, suffered multiple fatal dog bites, but his body was not found until a day later. He was discovered in a Birmingham garden after being attacked by dogs, including two XL Bullies, on August 21, 2024. An inquest heard he had volunteered to feed the dogs, which belonged to his brother, at the property on Hereford Close in the Rednal area. He was found 'reasonably well hidden' resting against a tree behind a fence panel. Four dogs were seized: two XL Bullies, one mixed Staffordshire bull terrier, and one bulldog. Officers had originally been called to reports of dogs roaming loose. His death was described as a 'terrible tragedy' with no evidence the dogs had been trained for violence.
Girl Mauled in Bordesley Green
An 11-year-old girl was viciously attacked after a dog, believed to be an XL Bully, snapped its collar in Bordesley Green. The out-of-control animal then attacked two men—Numaan Ahmed and Yousef Ahmadzai—as they came to the girl's aid. They were injured on a nearby petrol station forecourt, with one fearing he would die, a court heard. Farhat Ajaz, 62, of Bordesley Close, pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court to three counts of owning a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control in September 2023. He was spared jail, receiving a two-year suspended sentence, a lifetime ban on owning dogs, and a restraining order.
Ian Price: Man Dies Protecting Mother
Ian Price, 52, lost his life when he was brutally attacked by two XL Bullies just outside Wolverhampton. He had been trying to shield his elderly mother from the dogs, which had escaped via an unsecure window and door in a neighbouring property in Stonnall, Staffordshire, on 14 September 2023. Mr Price was badly bitten and died later in hospital. Just hours later, then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the XL Bully breed would be banned in England and Wales. A number of people attempted to help Mr Price during the attack. One of the dogs died during the incident, while the other was given a lethal injection by a vet. At Stafford Crown Court, James Harrison Trimble-Pettitt, 33, of Fradley, Lichfield, admitted two counts of being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control. He was sentenced to five years in custody and disqualified from owning a dog indefinitely.
Attack Near Primary School in Winson Green
Six people were injured after two dogs attacked people near a primary school in the Winson Green area of Birmingham. The road where the attack took place is near Barford Primary School, which was reportedly put into lockdown for an hour until the dogs were removed. An elderly man was taken to hospital with bite injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening after the incident in Willow Gardens on April 18, 2023. Five other people arrived at hospital seeking help for bite injuries. West Midlands Police said a 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a dog that was dangerously out of control. He was later released on police bail while enquiries continued. Both dogs were seized and taken to secure kennels.
Lucille Downer: Dreadful and Sustained Attack
An 85-year-old woman tragically lost her life after being attacked by two dogs in Rowley Regis. Lucille Downer, who lived with dementia, was mauled as the American bulldogs got into her garden in 2021, forcing their way through a fence. She suffered fatal neck injuries despite neighbours rushing to help. The court heard the dogs had previously escaped from the property and that the owner had been seen hitting one of the animals. Darren Pritchard, 44, of Merrivale Road, Smethwick, admitted an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act and was sentenced to 45 months in prison.
