Impact of dog attacks on NHS revealed

Dog attacks have reached a new high, with hospital admissions rising 6% last year to 9,336, new NHS figures reveal.

The NHS data shows that between April 2022 and November 2022 hospitals recorded 6,244 admissions due to dog attacks, which is around 30 a day.

In the same period, 2,345 people required surgery to correct dog bite attacks. Of those, 255 were aged four and under; 246 were aged five to nine and 186 were aged 10 to 14.

Skin camouflage and scar therapy consultant, Vanessa Jane Davies, said: “I have seen a significant rise in referrals for children and adults who have been bitten or struck by a dog.

“I treat men and women on a monthly basis for dog attacks, however, it’s often the young children who are at the highest risk of dog attack injuries and they are particularly vulnerable to bites to the face and neck.”

In response, Behaviourist Jane Robinson, Chair of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, told The Express: “If we’re expecting dogs to thrive in our complex human society, then we have to set them up for success, educate ourselves as to what’s happening at their end of the lead, guide them to make good choices and reward them when they get it right.

“This all takes commitment, both practically, emotionally and financially.”