Worrying number of dog attacks on people in past year
ONE MAN IN HOSPITAL AMONG 39 REPORTED TO POLICE
DOZENS of people have been attacked by dogs in South Derbyshire, including one man who needed hospital treatment after being bitten while walking his pet.
A total of 39 incidents involving people being bitten by dogs have been reported to police in South Derbyshire in just 12 months.
The worrying number was revealed by Inspector Chris Thornhill, who is in charge of policing in South Derbyshire, when asked by the Burton Mail.
Included in the figures are the case of a Siberian Husky which attacked a council worker at an address in
Newhall in June. His owner was recently fined and told his dog must wear a muzzle in public places and while it is in the front or back gardens of his home.
Another man was attacked and bitten by a dog while out for a walk in South Derbyshire, said the inspector.
The 36-year-old man was walking his dog on the green close to Glenmore Drive and Witton Court, in Stenson Fields, at around 6.20am on Tuesday, February 9, when he came across another man walking a larger dog.
The larger dog pulled towards the victim’s dog and began fighting with it, before biting the 36-year-old owner on the leg.
The victim was taken to the hospital and treated for a leg wound which required stitches.
Inspector Thornhill said: “There have been 39 incidents of dogs causing injury to a person in South Derbyshire in the past 12 months.
“The incidents are spread out across the communities and the year.
“There are no particular problem areas but usually happen in parks.
“You know your dog and its temperament and you should take precautions to make sure it is safe.
“Make sure it is muzzled. If there is livestock, keep the dog on a lead.
“We want people to go out and enjoy South Derbyshire.”