Five-Year-Old Bitten by Dog on Tyne and Wear Metro
Northumbria Police are urgently hunting for answers after a five-year-old boy was bitten by a dog on a Metro train between Benton and Palmersville. The shocking attack happened at 12:05 PM on Saturday, April 5, 2025, leaving the child with a puncture wound and bruising to his left arm. He needed hospital treatment but was discharged the same day.
Police Release CCTV Image of Suspect
Officers have published CCTV images of a man they want to question in connection with the bite. Though the image isn’t crystal clear, police hope someone will recognise him and come forward.
“This was a distressing experience for a young child, and we are doing everything we can to identify the man involved. We’re urging anyone who was on that Metro train or who recognises the man to get in touch,” said a Northumbria Police spokesperson.
How You Can Help
If you have any information, Northumbria Police want to hear from you now. You can contact them via:
- Social Media DMs on Twitter/X or 123
- Phone: Call 101 quoting crime reference 038016S/25
Animal Control on Public Transport: A Growing Concern
Though dog attacks on the Tyne and Wear Metro are rare, this incident shines a spotlight on animal control and passenger safety. Nexus, which runs the Metro, employs CCTV and mobile patrols to keep travellers safe.
The RSPCA reported over 1,700 dog attacks across the UK in 2023. Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, owners must always keep their dogs under control in public.
The Department for Transport urges vigilance, while Dogs Trust offers tips for responsible pet ownership—especially in busy shared spaces like trains.
Public Outcry and Ongoing Safety Push
Social media users have expressed outrage over the attack:
“Awful that a child was bitten on the Metro. Hope police get answers and improve safety,” said one concerned user on X (formerly Twitter).
This case feeds into Northumbria Police’s wider campaign to boost safety on public transport and reduce dog attacks. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents stresses child safety must be top priority everywhere.
Why This Incident Matters
This distressing attack highlights urgent issues around child safety, dog ownership laws, and transport security in the North East. Stronger cooperation between authorities and the public is key to stopping incidents like this and keeping public transport safe for everyone.
