Almost 100 dog bite incidents treated in Northumberland over 12-month period

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.

NHS data shows there were about 85 episodes of patients being treated in hospital for dog bites in the former NHS Northumberland CCG in the year to March 2023 – in line with the year before.

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

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.

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.”

Dr Samantha Gaines, head of companion animals at the RSPCA, added that a small amount of research by pet owners on dog body language would prevent countless accidents.