What are the warning signs that a dog is about to attack?

When a 19-year-old woman was killed by her family dog, the immediate consensus on social media was that a dangerous breed such as an XL bully must have been responsible.

But it soon emerged the animal that attacked Jamie-Lea Biscoe at home in Leaden Roding, near Dunmow, Essex, was believed to be a female lurcher called Shy.

Her father Jack Biscoe told The Sun how Shy was the "softest dog" and had never shown any prior aggression.

He said Shy was his daughter's "best friend" and even slept on her bed.

Essex Police, which seized the dog after the fatal attack on 10 April, is now carrying out tests to confirm the breed.

Speaking to the BBC, one dog expert says the fatal mauling disproves theories that only certain breeds will attack and that, actually, any dog may be capable.

But what are the warning signs that your dog may be about to strike – and what are the potential consequences if it does?

Police were called to Long Hide, a small cul-de-sac in the village, at 22:45 BST on 10 April and found Biscoe with serious injuries.

Efforts were made by emergency workers to save her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination was due to take place on 12 April, but Essex Police told the BBC it would not disclose the results.

Officers arrested a 37-year-old man, from Dunmow, on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and causing injury resulting in Biscoe's death.

It was reported in The Sun that this man was Biscoe's father, Jack.

He has since been released on bail and Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper says "experienced detectives" are leading the investigation.

Leaden Roding is a small village with a population of fewer than 700 people, according to the latest statistics.

The Reverend Tim Goodbody, the area's associate Anglican priest, says most people in the "small community" will have been affected by Biscoe's death.

He says the doors to the village's St Michael & All Angels Church are open to all who want to reflect.

Nina Fotara, a dog behaviour specialist from Confident Canine in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, says a lurcher "wasn't what a lot of people expected" to be behind the attack.

But she warns: "Any breed is capable of doing something like this under the right circumstances."

Between 1989 and 2017, 48 people - including 20 children - died in dog bite-related incidents in England and Wales.

Of the 62 dogs involved, a majority of 53 were breeds not on the prohibited list, evidence given to Parliament by the RSPCA shows.

Fotara says: "Normally you might expect a dog to go up a chain of warning signs before any attack.

"But if you miss these signs, they might feel they need to make their feelings more obvious."

RSPCA guidance suggests excessive panting, licking lips and yawning are all early warning signs that are easily mistaken.

Fotara adds another subtle hint is "whale eye", where a dog's sclera - the white part of the eye - is visible.

She explains the animal may simply be trying to tell its owner they are in pain or discomfort, rather than being inherently aggressive.

"Any dog might escalate its behaviour if you're not picking up the signals," the expert adds.

If a dog shows signs of aggression, RSPCA guidance advises people to stop what they are doing, stand still and assess the situation.

"Movement towards an aggressive dog may be interpreted as a threat, and movement away may make the dog bold enough to bite," it says online.

The guidance suggests if the animal does attack, people should get something solid between themselves and the dog - but avoid sudden movements.

The RSPCA says that when signs of aggression are shown for a prolonged period, the dog's owner should seek professional help.

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 makes it an offence for a dog to be dangerously out of control in any place, including all private property.

If any dog injures a person while out of control, the owner may be guilty of a crime.

This may also apply if the behaviour of a dog leads someone to fear they could be hurt.

If your dog attacks someone's animal or the owner of an animal thinks your dog may harm them, then a court could also find your dog to be dangerously out of control.

The punishment for such an offence escalates depending on the severity of the incident.

Penalties range as follows:

• An unlimited fine to a six-month prison sentence for owning or being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog
• Up to five years in prison if you let your dog injure someone
• A sentence of up to 14 years behind bars if you allow your dog to kill someone

The rarity of fatal animal attacks, and the fact the UK is considered a nation of dog lovers, means they inevitably make national headlines.

In March, amateur rapper Ashley Warren was jailed for more than 10 years after his XL bully mauled his ex-partner's mother to death in Jaywick, Essex.

There were 19 fatal dog attacks in 2023 and seven in 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics. There have been three so far in 2026.

Separately, there are five dog breeds deemed so dangerous they have been banned in the UK. They are:

• Pit bull terrier
• Japanese tosa
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• XL bully

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