Sharp rise in dog attack ops
THE NHS carried out 3,000 cosmetic surgery operations last year on people who had been attacked by dogs.
This represents a 30 per cent rise in 12 years, with hundreds of operations performed on babies, toddlers and children aged under 10.
The revelations come just days after 17-month-old Bella-rae Birch was killed by a pet dog at her home in St Helens, Merseyside.
The family had bought it just a week before. It has since been put down, with police saying the toddler’s death had “left a family and a community grieving in complete shock”. NHS
Digital’s hospital figures reveal there were 2,925 appointments for children and adults who needed cosmetic surgery after a dog attack last year.
A total of 380 procedures were carried out on children under five.those aged five to nine were the second most affected age group, accounting for 368 operations.
They include stitching wounds as well as more serious skin grafts and cosmetic reconstruction. And last year there were 7,443 NHS hospital appointments in England for people with dog bites, up 40 per cent in 12 years.
Dr Samantha Gaines, from the RSPCA, said: “Contrary to popular belief, all dogs have the potential to bite – it is wrong to label some as dangerous and others as safe.
“In general, dogs use their bodies to communicate when they feel uncomfortable, worried and in need of some space. “So it is imperative owners can spot these signs and actively supervise children when around dogs. Never leave them unattended, regardless of how friendly you think your dog is.
“The likelihood of getting bitten by your own dog is greater than one which is unknown. As parents or carers, it is also our role to teach children how to behave and interact safely with dogs – whether it’s our own family pet or other dogs.”
Two young children were taken to hospital yesterday after being injured in a dog attack. An eight-year-old boy sustained serious facial injuries and a six-year-old girl suffered an arm injury in the incident in Cannock, Staffs.