Merseyside Police is encouraging the public take the lead with dog safety this summer

Today (Thursday 18 July), Merseyside police and partners are at Botanic Gardens in Southport to raise awareness of responsible dog ownership and the steps they are collectively taking to reduce the number of dog bite incidents in Merseyside.

The Taking the Lead campaign was launched by Merseyside Police in July 2023 with aim to offer important safety tips to all dog owners in Merseyside about looking after their pet, especially around children, which could prevent serious injuries.

It promotes responsible dog ownership and safe behaviour from people around dogs by highlighting the practical steps we can all take to keep everyone (including dogs) safe and looked after.

In 2023, the number of incidents involving violence with injury involving dogs was 469 (an increase of 21.5 per cent compared to 2022). The number of victims under the age of 16 was 121, accounting for 26 per cent of all incidents.

Police data shows that dangerous dog offences tend to peak in the summer when more children are at home with their pets or around other people’s dogs and are also spending more time in public spaces.

Last year, there was tragically one fatal dog attack in Merseyside.

On Friday 18 August 2023, officers responded to reports that Marie Stevens, 40, had been bitten by two Rottweiler dogs on Park Lane West in Netherton.

Police officers gave Marie first aid until an ambulance arrived and took her to hospital, where she was treated and later discharged.

Two weeks later on Sunday 3 September, Marie collapsed and sadly died, as a direct result of her injuries from the dog attack. Destruction orders were issued for both dogs.

Marie’s husband, Mark Stevens, has described the impact of her death.

He said:

“The death of my wife Marie has left me in complete and utter turmoil, the absolute heartbreak I am feeling is indescribable.

“Marie and I were together for 20 years, the day she died my life disappeared in a second. Everything I knew and loved gone. Marie was a bubbly person, everyone loved her, and she would do anything for anyone. Marie was only 40 years old when she died, I should be planning for our future together not picking flowers for her funeral.

“I really hope no family has to go through what our family has gone through and continues to go through on daily basis since Marie’s death.”

In September 2023, a young boy suffered significant facial injuries after he was attacked by a Huntaway cross breed in Oxton. Officers seized the dog which was humanely destroyed.

The young boy’s mum has described the impact the incident has had on her family and young son, both physically and mentally.

She said: “In September 2023 the dynamics our family changed as a whole, the incident left my son requiring plastic surgery to reconstruct his beautiful little face leaving him with visible scars on to his cheek, the bridge of his nose and the corner of his eye for the rest of his life.

“Along with the physical aspect of his injuries, the incident has impacted him psychologically as he has suffered major anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, dog phobia, nightmares, and flashbacks. My little boy completely lost all confidence and became very withdrawn and reserved. This has changed our little boy’s personality completely.

“Since the incident, we have had numerous appointments including psychotherapy, plastic surgery, and counselling in the attempt for him to adapt. Ever since the attack he has had a number of nose bleeds which triggers flashbacks with the blood on his face and causes an ultimate set back in his progress.

“For several months our little boy avoided looking at himself or would refuse to have his photograph taken. It has taken constant reassurance from us as parents, his loving family, and the amazing staff in nursery to finally get him to where we are today. It is now almost 10 months since the incident, and we are only just beginning to see his personality come back. Although our little boy will still ask to this day whether the dog will come back to bite him again.

“Not only has the incident had an impact on my little boy, but it’s also had an impact on us as a family. My son who witnessed the attack has begun counselling at the age of six and us as parents have suffered with our mental health due to the impact this has had on our child.

“Although we are a long way from where we want him to be, we hope gradually that in time his confidence grows, and his personality will shine through, and we will eventually get our funny, bubbly, and loving boy back.

“If I could give any advice to dog owners, please keep your dogs under control and on a lead around children. Although you may think your dog wouldn’t harm a person, nobody will ever know.”

Merseyside Police and partners are aiming to reduce the number of dog attacks through educating dog owners and children, as well as targeted enforcement and using additional powers to keep dogs under control in public spaces.

At an event in Botanic Gardens today (Thursday 18 July), representatives from Merseyside Police, Sefton Council and Dogs Trust offered advice to members of the public around responsible dog ownership and safe behaviour around dogs.

In Sefton, a dog control Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) has been extended by Sefton Council to help reduce dog related incidents. Supported by Merseyside Police, the measures apply to anyone that is in charge of a dog in certain ‘dog control zones’ within Sefton and is set to run until April 2027.

In the designated dog control zones, dog owners must clear up after their dog, place their dog on a lead if instructed by an authorised officer, keep their dog on a lead within defined areas (such as family areas and footways) and keep their dog out of prohibited areas including enclosed playgrounds and sports pitches, as highlighted on Sefton council’s website.

A PSPO is an official measure that is an enforceable part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Failure to comply with the PSPO results in a fixed penalty notice of £75 (£50 if paid within 10 days) being issued or be taken to court and fined up to £1,000 for non-compliance and no reasonable excuse.

Police officers are supporting Sefton Council to proactively patrol the dog control zones. Sefton Council have installed signage and maps to signpost which shared spaces fall under the rules.

Since 25 April 2024, 77 fines have been issued By Sefton Council in relation to the PSPOs.

T/Chief Inspector Jordan Quinn, who is supporting the roll out of PSPOs in Sefton said:

“We want all residents and visitors, whether they own a dog or not, to enjoy Sefton’s many parks and open spaces safely.

“The PSPOs by Sefton Council are a welcome measure to tackle out of control dogs. The creation of the dog control zones aims to help reduce dog related incidents in Sefton and forms part of our ongoing work to educate dog owners, of any breed, about the consequences, if they allow their pet to be out of control in a public space.

“You will continue to see high visibility patrols in the designated PSPO areas over the summer months to ensure the orders are being complied with.”

Councillor Peter Harvey said:

“Sefton has some fantastic places for people to have fun outdoors with their pet dogs – such as parks, our coast, woodland and elsewhere. But it is important dog owners stick to the rules so that everyone – especially children – can enjoy our greenspaces safely and without fear.

“Our dog control zones are designed to ensure that dogs and humans enjoy these spaces in harmony. In some areas, dogs must be kept on a lead. In others, dogs are not allowed.

“Most dog owners in Sefton understand and follow the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for dogs. However, a minority do not – and they can expect a fine from our Enforcement Officers if they ignore the clear responsibilities required of them.”

Liverpool City Council also has dog control PSPOs live until 2025.

A dog bite prevention app is also due to launch this year, which will be used by police and partners to safeguard and help reduce the risk of dog bites in the family home.

Developed by Constable Craig Walsh as part of the Prevention Hub, alongside NHS Cheshire & Merseyside, the app will support with early intervention and identifying risks before a child is bitten.

The app will allow frontline emergency services and NHS staff to engage with families and provide them with help and advice on how to recognise the early warning signs in dogs. When attending an incident, officers can input information about the presence of a dog (even if no dog bite has occurred) and offer tailored support to communities.