Bites from dangerous dogs put 6,000 victims a year in hospital

  • Convictions for dog offences have also been rapidly rising

By
Steve Doughty

Last updated at 12:40 AM on 3rd January 2012

The number of people taken to hospital with dog bites has almost doubled in a decade, new figures showed yesterday.

Dog bite cases in casualty departments topped 6,000 for the first time this year, they show.

The fast-growing medical caseload caused largely by out-of-control dogs was disclosed in NHS data at a time of deepening concern over the injuries caused by dangerous dogs.

Dog bite cases in casualty departments topped 6,000 for the first time this year new research shows

Dog bite cases in casualty departments topped 6,000 for the first time this year new research shows

Last month judicial authorities proposed new sentencing guidelines for the courts suggesting two-year jail terms for the worst offenders as a result of the growing frequency of dangerous dog incidents.

The Sentencing Council said it wanted to ensure irresponsible owners are prevented from keeping dogs, dangerous dogs and put down, and attack victims are properly compensated.

According to hospital statistics, the number of dog bites reported at AE departments has gone up by 94 per cent over 10 years and reached 6,097 in the year to the end of March 2011.

Court convictions for dog offences have also been rising rapidly.

A vicious pit bull terrier. The number of adults sentenced for dangerous dog crimes went up by 39 per cent in a year, from 855 in 2009 to 1,192 in 2010

A vicious pit bull terrier. The number of adults sentenced for dangerous dog crimes went up by 39 per cent in a year, from 855 in 2009 to 1,192 in 2010

The number of adults sentenced for dangerous dog crimes went up by 39 per cent in a year, from 855 in 2009 to 1,192 in 2010. There was a 58 per cent increase in the number of people charged and brought before the courts over the same year, up from 1,077 to 1,705.

The 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act which covers attacks by uncontrolled pets is a controversial piece of legislation, often cited as a classic example of over-hasty law-making by ministers, officials and MPs working too fast in the face of a temporary scare.

However the scale of dog-related violence has persuaded ministers that further regulation may be necessary.

A spokesperson for the Environment Department, which is headed by Tory Caroline Spelman, said: ‘We will be announcing new measures early in the new year that will better protect the public, allow the Police and councils to better enforce the law and ensure dog owners take responsibility for their animals.’

Labour has begun to press Mrs Spelman for faster movement. Shadow Food and Farming Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies said: ‘It has been sixteen months since the last consultation on reform of the laws and guidance on dangerous dogs ended, yet the Government has done nothing.

‘It is good to see the Sentencing Council has begun a consultation on sentencing policies for dangerous dog-owners, but that only deals with the end result when an attack or threat has taken place, when people and pets are injured or sometimes killed.’

Mr Irranca-Davies added: ‘The Government needs to bring forward measures on early intervention and education, more powers for police and councils, extend dangerous dog laws to private property, and explore the extension of micro-chipping.  It must stop dithering, and act to reduce dog attacks and tackle irresponsible owners now.’

There is also increasing concern over the cost of dealing with dangerous dogs. Costs have gone up more than tenfold since 2007, and last year £2.1 million was spent on boarding dogs which had been seized from their owners. The bills covered veterinary fees and transport for animals as well as the cost of kennels.

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts,
or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have not been moderated.

“I can say that the worst biter I ever saw was a 4-pound Yorkshire Terrier.” (Mama S, Atlanta, USA)
THese people really are deluded, aren’t they?

Bring back the Dog Licence, Tag all vicious breed of Dogs, and their Owners, take DNA samples from both dog and owner. Any problems…..Punish the Owners with a prison sentence, while in prison, give them work clearing up all the dogs s…t in every park and street in their areas…..The people who own these breeds are not dog lovers……..Just status symbols…..

So it wasn’t those violent, vicious baby eating foxes that were the danger to humans after all?

This is a sensationalist and deplorable article. Animal abuse is prevalent and some poor breeds are ‘favored’ as the dogs of choice. When maltreated, abused and raised on fear they are more prone to lash out. Shame on DM for perpetuating misinformation. Thanks for nothing DM. As Michael Vick’s surviving victims so poignantly demonstrated one of the most maligned breeds, the PB’s, once handed over to loving homes have shown themselves to be loving and devoted family pets. It is humans’ ignorance and cruelty which is at the root of this problem, not the poor animals’ fault.

Dogs are like children. How they are raised has more to do with how they behave than what breed they are. As a dog rescuer and former foster home, I can say that the worst biter I ever saw was a 4-pound Yorkshire Terrier. However, as a breed I would be more afraid of a Chihuahua — people tend to treat Dobies and Rotties with a little respect, but they will grab a Chi, hold it up to eye level and start to talk “babytalk” to it. Then they are surprised when they get a bite on the nose!!!

And I’d rather be attacked by a Shih Tzu than any of the dogs you mention.
– Here, Australia, 03/1/2012 02:38
Well aren’t you a bit strange because I would rather not be attacked by any kind of dog :).Also I made a tiny error in the spelling of the Shiz Tzu breed oh heaven forbid yo are being red arrowed because you are lacking common sense all dogs can tear flesh and infect you with germs so doesn’t matter what size bites you. Also by the types of dogs I mentioned Bully breeds are actually excellent dogs if brought up by the right owners if you to go read up on the breeds without being close minded and taking your views from newspapers you would know this. I know because I am an owner of 2 large breed dogs and they are the most loving soppy cuddly dogs ever. But unlike a lot of owners I never leave my dogs around strangers because you never know how the person and dog will react to one another.

IF THE POLICE COULD PROTECT HOUSEHOLDS AND BUSINESS PREMISES AND THE PUBLIC FELT SAFE ,MAYBE THERE WOULD NOT BE SO MANY DANGEROUS DOGS BEING KEPT .

I’m being red arrowed for commenting that if it came to it I’d prefer to be attacked by a Shih Tzu than a staffordshire bull terrier, german shepherd or a rottweiler. That makes perfect sense. Is it because I can spell it?

How many people are hospitalised per year due to humans?
– PD, UK, 3/1/2012 2:55======Common tactic of dog lovers. Divert attention away from the point. The fact is that 6,000 people are victims to dogs every year. That’s an extra 6,000 injured who need not be.

Always be on your guard with dogs, and keep a sizeable distance from all but the most placid of ones. Also bring a brolly along, and as soon as you see a dog or hear one from behind ready it to strike it. The dog lovers will say stop being paranoid, but I say try living in London, where they breed dogs specifically to attack,

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