FOI reference: FOI-2025-2970
You asked
I am looking into fatal dog attacks across the UK. I see that you have published these useful statistics following a previous similar FOI request: Deaths by dog bite or strike from 1988 to 2023 - Office for National Statistics
I note that the data provided with this only contains provisional data for 2023 (up to September), and it shows a dramatic increase. I wonder whether you have updated data for the whole of 2023 available and data for the whole of 2024?
We said
Thank you for your enquiry.
We are responsible for the production of mortality and births statistics for births and deaths registered in England and Wales. National Records Scotland (NRS) and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) are responsible for statistics pertaining to Scotland and Northern Ireland. Figures for deaths due to being bitten or struck by a dog that were registered in Scotland and Northern Ireland are available on their respecitve websites.
We have published an ad-hoc bespoke tabulation with updated final figures for 2023 and provisional figures for 2024, broken down by 5-year age groupings, for the Number of deaths due to being bitten or struck by a dog, deaths registered in England and Wales, 2023 and 2024.
If you wish to obtain finalised numbers of deaths due to being bitten or struck by a dog for 2024, this can be requested through our bespoke services, which are subject to legal frameworks, disclosure control, resources and agreements of costs.
As this information is reasonably accessible through another route, even if only accessible on payment, Section 21(2)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) applies.
For further information, please contact health.data@ons.gov.uk.