Alarm over rise in dog bite cases
MORE than 30 people needed hospital treatment at Derriford in one year alone after being attacked by dogs.
The 31 casualties admitted with bite wounds to accident and emergency at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust included children under the age of 10, although precise numbers are not given on grounds of medical confidentiality.
-
Latest figures released by the Department of Health show that nationally there were nearly 4,000 cases of people needing hospital treatment for dog bites, of which more than 700 were aged under 10.
It has led to calls by the RSPCA for dangerous dogs legislation to be updated and a crackdown on irresponsible owners.
A backbench bid has also been launched at Westminster to allow the prosecution of owners whose dogs attack people on private property.
There is growing concern over the worrying trend – imported from the US – of ferocious so-called 'bling' or 'status' dogs such as pit bull terrier-type breeds becoming associated with gang culture, along with guns and knives.
The 2007-08 data for Plymouth represents an increase on the 24 hospital admissions recorded in 2000-01, the earliest year for which figures were provided.
In 2006-07 there were 33 reports of people needing treatment at Derriford for a dog bite.
There has been mounting pressure for widely-criticised dangerous dogs legislation, brought in after a series of dog attacks in the early 1990s, to be updated and beefed up with tougher seizure powers so vicious animals could be confiscated.
Campaigners have also pressed for dog licenses to be brought back. Supporters say compulsory registration, which was abolished in 1987, would ensure owners of dogs involved in attacks could be identified and brought to justice.
A spokesman for the RSPCA said there was a 'huge problem' with dangerous dogs and that attacks were on the rise.
He added: "This comes down to making sure that dog-owners are responsible for their dogs.
"We'd like to see the law changed so it reflects the dog-owners rather than the dog breeds."
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said comprehensive legislation was in place to deal with people who failed to control their dogs.
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 four types of dog are banned: the pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo Argentino and fila Brasileiro.
A Defra spokesman said a review of the dangerous dogs legislation had been undertaken in 2007, during which police were consulted.
"From this review, we believe that while the existing law on dangerous dogs is robust enough to deal with dangerous dogs and irresponsible dog-owners it's important that the law is more rigorously enforced," he said.
Guidance had been issued to ensure better enforcement of the law, and there were new training initiatives to help police deal with the problem of dangerous dogs.
The spokesman added: "Officials from Defra and the Ministry of Justice are currently working with enforcement agencies to see what can be done to improve the way courts handle dangerous dogs cases, and we have also recently commissioned new research into dog aggression against humans."
39 Comments
View all
by Plymouth lad, away from home
Sunday, August 23 2009, 8:47PM
“@Mick,Barbican......We're not biting back at your comments mate. ;)
I live in central Europe ,and i have to pay dog tax to my local council, around 80 Euros a year. The dog is registered and chiped and also has a European Pet pass. I own a Jack Russel Terrier , a very agile dog which needs to be taken out at least 5 times a day for a good run.
I've done my best up to now trying to train her, but there are still momments where i must admit, i haven't got her in grip. Such momments are, when children want to grab her or when people on bikes ride past too close to her, then she wants to snap at them. This is due to people seeing a sweet little doggy and forgetting that she can bite. I've had problems with strangers trying to stroke the dog without asking first and then getting upset when the dog goes for them. I mean, try to look at the world at a Jack Russel's perspective, nothing but giants trying to run you over , or grabbing you, over looking you and stepping on your paws. It's a dod's life. ;)”
by Albert Dock, DILLIGAF
Sunday, August 23 2009, 8:12PM
“The Dogs are brought up like the kids or owners.
TREAT them nasty Thats what you get.
TREAT em kind.....work it out morons.”
by Safewings, Northants
Sunday, August 23 2009, 7:19AM
“Its` not the breed its` the so called owners that bring about nasty vicious dogs, usually instilled by fear. A dog? cat licence scheme with compulsory microchip/ tagging/ tatooing would see a considerable improvement in animal welfare and reduce abandonment. But then the animal rights police would not have any work and thus no fast revenue in donations ? Why have fireworks not been banned ? Why hasnt` the bird charity called for more control on cats as they kill millions of wild birds each year ? Answer Simples!! Conscience donations made by cat owners and a like.
Since the new Animal Welfare Act 2006 has been introduced cruelty and abandonment in the UK has soared. coincidence or fact that we continue to progress to a complete throw away society?.”
by Richy2704, Plymouth
Saturday, August 22 2009, 7:48AM
“Before any GSD owners have a pop at me this is not aimed at that breed, my wife was attacked and bitten by a GSD in central park last year, this happened whilst she was walking our Staffordshire Bull Terrier the GSD was on a lead but the owner is disabled and cannot control it and it pulled him over and attacked my dog and wife, she ended up in hospital and my dog ended up in the vets, and the police did nothing about it, the annoying thing is we had already lodged a complaint as this dog in question had acted aggresively towards our children whilst in the park and when the police investigated it they admitted that they had received several complaints about this dog.
The officer in question said that nothing will happen to the dog untill it ends up biting somebody else or worse still injures a child.
My point being if the police have no powers to destroy dangerous dogs, (of whatever breed )then some of these dangerous dogs will continue to be allowed to roam unchecked with the owners fully aware that unlike there dogs the law is toothless.
As for the picture its usually a Staffy picture they put in with any dog attack stories and most non dog owners presume staffys and pit bulls are the same, talk about a bad press my dog is the biggest softy going and although I would never trust a dog 100% he would not be far off.”
by Mick, Barbican
Saturday, August 22 2009, 2:35AM
“Then there's the noise of anti-social barking we have to put up with, I used to get jolted awake gone midnight with my ears ringing by the barking of the alsatian in next doors yard at a previous address, and I had to move house to get away from the dog.
That was 25 years ago but the ringing has never stopped (tinnitus)”