Dog bits and attacks in England have seen a sharp rise this year, seeing rates rise by nearly 30% in the past five years to a record 10,808 people this year alone.
That is according to information from the NHS obtained in a FOI request from the solicitors John Fowlers. That figure is compared to just 8,409 in 2021 and includes dog bites, attacks or injury caused by a dog.
Of all of the groups recorded, older people have seen the steepest rise in incident rates. For the 65 and over group, there was a 43% increase from 1,573 to 2,255. The rise was even higher for those between 55 and 64, rising from 1,185 to 1,755.
Unsurprisingly, children are also heavily represented in the figures with 1,687 admissions of people under 18. However, this was one of the lowest numbers on record for children.
Dog bites were recorded as being highest by the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, followed by Mersey and West Lancashire and then Queen Vicoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
What to do as a victim or dog owner in this situation
Whichever side of this situation that you are on, John Fowlers legal expert, Henry Nydam, has advice to follow in this situation.
“A dog bite can be painful in the literal sense, but it can also be a painful process to get justice because the keeper’s liability depends on the circumstances of the case. If you are bitten, get medical treatment as soon as you can, even where the injury looks minor,” said Nydam.
“Photograph your injuries and collect as much evidence as possible, including details of the dog, its keeper, any witnesses and the location. If the incident is serious, report it to the police and seek legal advice.
“A civil claim may include compensation for pain and suffering, psychological injury, medical costs, loss of earnings and other past or future financial losses. However, every case turns on its own facts,” adds Nydam.
“Issues such as whether the dog was provoked, whether somebody was trespassing and whether warnings were ignored may all be relevant. Avoid arguing or admitting liability before all the facts are known. The priority should be preventing any further injury and making sure the person receives the help they need.”
