THE UK's dangerous dog capital where you are most likely to be attacked has been revealed.
Locals fear walking out of their homes with young children during the day as XL Bullies and their owners roam the local parks.
At night time, pet owners use public spaces to illegally breed dogs, it is claimed.
Residents living in Knowsley, Merseyside, face much higher chances of being the victim of a dog attack.
It's 10 times more likely to be bitten by a dog in the North West England borough than the rest of Britain.
More than 24 dog bite patients will visit doctors in the area each year – a jump of 60 percent higher than the national average of 15.
Following the ninth loss of life following a dog attack, the RSPCA is renewing calls for the Government to step in.
As part of an in-depth investigation, the Mirror found there's been a 26 percent climb in dog attacks in two years.
A Knowsley local told the outlet the issue with dogs in her community is "appalling".
The woman, who asked not to be named, was aware of at least four recent dog-on-dog attacks at Stadt Moers Park.
She said: "Only the other day a dog had its throat ripped out and was left with 500 stitches. It’s a miracle it survived.
“This is my fear all the time. What scares me is that it could be a child next.
“It’s macho-ism, it’s young men who own these dogs. You have all these Bullies going around, all these Pitbull crosses, and they rule the roost, they do what they want to do.”
She claims rogue dog owners have even taken up breeding when the sun goes down.
The problem is so bad one resident is concerned she can no longer head out with her three-year-old grandson, Finn, and her pet dog.
Kathy Brogan, 71, said she's definitely "wary" over where they walk after hearing about the attacks on children and other dogs.
She said: "There was a child attacked just the other day.
“We get a lot of people with powerful dogs, some of them off the lead, and it’s frightening.”
Another woman who asked to remain anonymous said she was attacked by a Rottweiler last year.
The 47-year-old, from St Helens, said: “The girl had to punch her own dog in the head several times to get it off me. It was trying to rip my arm off. I thought I was going to bleed out.”
She required surgery on the injury and recalls being unable to leave the house for weeks.
As she's tried to move forward, she still carries the physical and emotional scars.
If a large dog is heading her way, she will cross the road or turn around.
The woman said the number of powerful breeds in the area is "scary" and owners taking on larger breeds are "incredibly irresponsible".
Dr Sam Gaines of the RSPCA change won't come about by banning or targeting certain breeds but by encouraging responsible dog ownership around education and early intervention.
She said: “This includes measures that deter and punish owners of dogs whose behaviour is deemed dangerous.”
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