In 2024, American Staffordshire Terriers (Amstaffs) registered in New South Wales recorded the highest rate of attacks on children, adults, and other dogs, according to state statistics.
Experts, however, caution that these figures may not tell the whole story, as dog breeds are often misidentified—or not identified at all. In more than one-fifth of recorded attacks on humans and animals in NSW last year (1,305 of 5,901 incidents), no breed was listed, according to the Office of Local Government (OLG).
The data shows 941 attacks linked to Amstaffs, which had 5,023 registered dogs in NSW—roughly one attack for every five dogs. Including Amstaff crossbreeds raises the number of registered dogs to 6,784, making it about one attack per 6.6 dogs. By comparison, Australian Kelpies experienced 146 attacks out of 5,903 registered animals, equating to one attack per 40 dogs. Kelpies were the second-most common crossbreed after miniature dachshunds, which saw only 11 attacks among 6,484 registered dogs.
Over 270 people required hospital treatment for dog-related injuries in 2024.
Amstaffs share pit bull ancestry with Staffordshire Bull Terriers (Staffies) but tend to be larger. Pit bulls face import bans and restrictions in Australia, which may encourage owners to register them or their crosses under different breed names. For comparison, 2,740 Staffies were registered in NSW, with 360 attacks reported—roughly one attack per 7.6 dogs. Other breeds linked to higher numbers of attacks include German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Bull Mastiffs.
The NSW government is currently reviewing companion animal legislation following several fatal attacks. In January, Deputy State Coroner Carmel Forbes released findings into the death of a five-week-old baby, “MJ,” who was killed by the family’s six-year-old Amstaff, Bully. Four weeks prior, Bully had killed a neighbor’s Cocker Spaniel.
Forbes recommended updating the Companion Animals Act, considering licensing for specific breeds, and licensing all dog owners. She highlighted that serious attacks often involve Amstaffs, Staffies, Rottweilers, or their crossbreeds and acknowledged the difficulty in distinguishing between Amstaffs, pit bulls, and Staffies.
Recent incidents include the death of a teenager mauled by a friend’s dog, reportedly a mix of Boxer, Bull Arab, and Irish Wolfhound. In total, 2024 saw 2,824 attacks on adults, 461 on children, and 2,598 on other dogs, with 430 dogs euthanized.
Hospitalization from dog attacks has risen sharply in recent years. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found that in 2012–13, 15.9 people per 100,000 required hospital care after a dog bite. By 2021–22, that number had more than doubled to 36.9 per 100,000. Dog ownership has also increased, with 49.3% of Australian households reporting at least one dog in 2023, up from 39% in 2013, according to Animals Medicines Australia.
Animal behaviorist Melissa Starling said “bully breeds”—including Staffies, Amstaffs, and Bull Mastiffs—are overrepresented in attack statistics, but individual temperament, owner behavior, and desexing status play a major role. “Many Staffies and Amstaffs I meet are very gentle,” she noted. “But indiscriminate breeding has increased anxiety levels in the breeds, making some dogs more prone to stress and reactivity.”
The Australian Veterinary Association emphasized that most aggression results from poor owner management or lack of awareness. It does not support breed-specific legislation, instead recommending education, training, and owner accountability. The AVA stressed that a dog’s history, training, and early experiences are more reliable predictors of aggression than breed alone. They also advocate for councils to take early, proportionate action against aggressive dogs, reserving euthanasia as a last resort.
Similarly, the RSPCA opposes breed-specific laws, noting that assumptions about inherent breed aggression, identification accuracy, and the effectiveness of bans are flawed. Each dog should be evaluated based on behavior rather than breed.
Forbes also suggested that licensing dog owners could reduce the risk of serious and fatal attacks. She proposed special licenses or conditions for owning high-risk breeds such as Amstaffs, Staffies, and Rottweilers.
Starling echoed the need for caution, particularly around powerful “bully breeds.” “They are strong and capable of serious harm,” she said. “When I’m out with my small dog, I always take precautions around larger breeds. Awareness and responsibility are key.”