Richard Baum

The Liberal Democrats have called for a review of the Dangerous Dogs Act after a 43% increase over four years of people being admitted to A&E because of dog attacks.

Hospitalisation of children and young people has risen by a fifth, with 58% more adults being admitted to A&E as a result of dog attacks over the same four year period.

The problem is particularly bad in London, where there has been a 119% increase in A&E admissions for dogs attacks on under-18s.

These are enormously disturbing figures. Almost 4000 people were rushed to emergency wards in the last year alone due to violent dog attacks. There is a worrying trend in some areas of using dangerous dogs as fashion accessories or, worse still, as weapons. Dogs often only become violent as a result of mistreatment by owners - or because of a failure to train them properly.

Irresponsible owners are more likely to make a dog ‘dangerous’ than it being born a particular breed. There needs to be a greater emphasis on responsible dog ownership and warning people of the risks, particularly to children, rather than taking a purely enforcement-based approach.

No-one knowingly puts their child in danger but it seems that the message is not getting through at present. With so many children apparently at risk, perhaps now is the time to review the flawed Dangerous Dogs Act.

At a local level, Councils will soon take on extra responsibilities in dealing with stray dogs as well as dog fouling. But with resources already very stretched, it seems as if once again the government are expecting local Councils (and local people) to pick up the tab without being adequately funded.

Rick