Kids at risk as dog bites on the rise

AT least 50 Australians are treated at hospitals for dog bites each week, with children under four the most vulnerable.

Research by the University of Tasmania’s Menzies Institute for Medical Research shows the rate of attacks increased by almost 60 per cent from 2003 to 2013. Researchers think this could be due to a rise in dog ownership, with 39 per cent of homes now owning one.

More than 31,000 people were hospitalised for dog bites between 2001 and 2013, with the highest rates for children aged 0-4. Men under 45 were more likely to be bitten than women, which could be due to higher dog ownership, an inclination for men to be more “daring” with dogs or jobs putting them in contact with them.

The study’s co-author said the figures underestimated the extent of the problem because they do not take into account private hospital cases, GP clinics and community health centres.