From Aunty …
NHS statistics show the number attending A&E after a dog attack has risen by more than 40% in the last four years to nearly 3,800 a year.
Young children and teenagers are the most likely groups to be treated at hospital after a dog bite.
During the four-year period the number of patients under 18 treated for dog bites in London more than doubled, and in the West Midlands it rose by 80%.
In contrast, the number of under-18s injured by dogs in the East Midlands rose by just 2% over the same period.
The Liberal Democrats want to see stricter legal duties laid on dog owners, and control orders to impose conditions on ownership - or in severe cases disqualify irresponsible owners.
Of the attack figures Mr Lamb added: “These are dramatic increases. I think in some communities these dogs have become a badge of honour, a fashion accessory in a way, and I think that’s very disturbing.”
Chloe Grayson, nine, is still recovering from a sudden unprovoked dog attack which has left her left cheek seriously scarred.
Chloe was bitten on the face at a neighbour’s house, when she went into the kitchen to ask her mother for a glass of water.
Nicola Grayson said her daughter had blood pouring down her face, and was screaming: “Mummy, I’m going to bleed to death”.
Chloe’s scars are healing well but Nicola said her daughter had been left terrified of dogs.
She said: “Emotionally it’s been very bumpy; she can change from being happy and playful to being an emotional wreck, worrying if she’ll be allowed to go to a party because of her scar.”
Some local authorities are concerned that teenagers and young men are buying menacing dogs as a status symbol.
In London where the increase in attacks has been the greatest, the Greater London Authority, Metropolitan Police, RSPCA and Battersea Dogs’ Home are launching a campaign on responsible dog ownership.
The London borough of Wandsworth is among the local councils using byelaws and ASBOs to deal with owners who fail to control their dogs.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said comprehensive legislation was in place to deal with people who failed to control their dogs.
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 four types of dog are banned: the pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo Argentino and fila Brasileiro .
Also Dangerous dog crime ‘on the rise’.
