A record number of dog bite wounds were treated in hospitals in Bolton last year, new figures show.

NHS data shows there were about 55 episodes of patients being treated in hospital for dog bites in the former NHS Bolton CCG in the year to March 2023 – up from 40 the year before and the highest since records began in 2011.

These figures are rounded and are not a count of people, as one person could be seen more than once within the year.

RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines, head of companion animals at the RSPCA, commented on the Bolton figures.

She said: “While dog bites are thankfully still generally quite rare, these figures show that, unfortunately, the number of hospital admissions due to dog bites is continuing to increase.

“This is not, however, surprising as we have seen an upwards trend in admissions over many years.

“It’s incredibly important that potential owners acquire their dog responsibly and we would always urge people to adopt from a reputable rehoming organisation like the RSPCA.

“Dog owners must ensure their pets are properly cared for, are happy, healthy, and kept under control.

“Providing the right training and positive experiences will help shape well-rounded, friendly dogs but it’s also crucial that adults learn how to understand dog body language and behaviour.

“This is essential so that parents and caregivers can closely supervise interactions with dogs, preventing injuries and keeping all safe and happy.”

Nationally, there has been a rising number of episodes of people in hospital because of a dog bite with a provisional 9,300 recorded in 2022-23.

It is an increase from 8,800 the year prior and the highest number since at least 2011.

The Dogs Trust said trusting basic dog training is "not enough" in preventing pets from biting as the number of dog bite wounds treated in hospitals across England continues to rise.

Owen Sharp, chief executive at Dogs Trust, said most dogs live harmoniously within families, but most bites happen within the home.

"Basic training of dogs is not enough; close supervision of children and dogs while interacting is the most effective way of preventing incidents," he said.

"Unfortunately, when the worst does happen, not only are children injured, but it can also have a devastating impact on the family pet, with some dogs handed over to organisations like ours for rehoming, or in some cases, euthanised."

Separate data shows 1,700 children were admitted to hospital in the last year because of a dog bite incident.

Dr Gaines continued: "We don’t ever expect our own dogs to bite, but all dogs can – it doesn’t matter what size or breed they are.

"Parents and guardians naturally love the idea of their child having a close bond with the family dog, and in many cases, they do, but having a close bond doesn’t mean that the dog will never bite."

She added a small amount of research by pet owners on dog body language would prevent countless accidents.

Katrina Phillips, chief executive of the Child Accident Prevention Trust, added summer holidays often lead to an increase in dog bites as children and dogs spend more time together.

"Give your dog a safe space they can go to when they need time out from children’s exuberance," she said.

"Even a much-loved family pet can bite if they feel they have no other option."

The Greater Manchester Police website outlines the law relating to dogs being out of control in public places.

They stated, it is an offence to let a dog be dangerously out of control whether that’s in public or private.

A dog is considered to be out of control if it injures someone or makes someone worried that it might injure them.

A court could also decide that a dog is dangerously out of control if it attacks someone’s animal, or the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal.

In the UK, it’s against the law to own certain types of dogs. These are the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro.

It’s also against the law to sell a banned dog, abandon a banned dog, give away a banned dog and breed from a banned dog.

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