Deaths caused by dog bites by age, year, and sex of victim

FOI REF: FOI-2023-1449

You asked

I would like to make a freedom of information request for the following: Deaths caused by dog bite/attack (code W54) from 2000 up until the most recent year for which data is available. If possible, please break down your response to year, age and gender of victim. If location data is available (area of the country), please also provide this.

We said

Thank you for your request.

We are responsible for the production of mortality statistics for deaths registered in England and Wales.  

Causes of death are certified in most cases by a doctor, who records the sequence of medical conditions and relevant events leading to, or contributing to, the death, based on the deceased's healthcare records and other available information, such as laboratory tests or post-mortem investigation. Some deaths are certified by a coroner who determines the causes of death following an inquest, based on all the available evidence. It is unusual for wider contextual factors such as dog breed to be recorded on the death certificate.

We have published the accompanying table 'Deaths caused by dog bites or dog strikes' which shows the number of deaths where the underlying cause was recorded as being bitten or struck by a dog. Figures are by 5-year age group for deaths registered between 2000 and 2023 for England and Wales. 

Information on number of deaths caused by dog bites and or attacks by sex and area of the country is available to order via our bespoke services route. Such services are subject to legal frameworks, disclosure control, resources and agreements of costs, in line with our Charging Policy. Such enquiries can be made to: Health.Data@ons.gov.uk. As this part of the request is reasonably accessible via another route, even if only accessible on payment, Section 21(2)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) applies.

Please note, we do not hold information regarding the breed of dog involved in fatalities caused by dog bites.