THE NUMBER of dog attacks on humans in Wales has risen by a staggering 60% over the last decade, according to NHS figures obtained by BBC Wales.

Radio Wales' Eye on Wales programme (aired earlier this week) said that, on average, somebody in is hospitalised because of a dog attack every single day.

Incidents have reportedly gone up from 234 in 1999/2000 to 373 in the year ending in March 2009 and campaigners are calling for compulsory dog micro-chipping to help the problem.
It is also understood that the number of dog attack injuries could be higher than the official figures suggest, as the statistics do not include those victims who were treated in accident and emergency departments or doctors' surgeries, or people who do not report dog attacks at all.

Figures released to Cynon Valley AM Christine Chapman from South Wales Police, under the Freedom of Information Act in December, showed that there were 800 attacks reported to the force over the last two-and-a-half years. ‘Some were pretty horrific,’ she said.

Worrying

Sian Edwards, Dogs Trust said: ‘You're talking about attacks on children, attacks on pets. Some pets were actually killed. This was very worrying. There is evidence now that dogs are being kept for protection - they're known as status dogs. You're talking about rival gangs, you're talking about protection. It’s not good.’

Betty Williams, the Labour MP for Conwy, has also called for action. Ms Williams was attacked last September while walking in a park close to her home - even though the dog involved had been put on the lead by its owner at her request.

‘As we were passing each other this Rottweiler leapt in front of his owner towards me and bit me quite viciously on my right arm,’ she said. ‘I had to go to the GP threes times and the A&E three times as well. My arm is disfigured, I still experience pain and discomfort when I’m writing and also have discomfort when I’m eating. It’s quite unpleasant.’

Education

The assembly government is now considering the compulsory micro-chipping of dogs as part of its plans to control the breeding and sale of dogs, an approach which has the full backing of the dogs Trust.

Sian Edwards said: ‘The idea behind compulsory micro-chipping is creating a sense of responsibility and traceability. It means that every dog will be linked to somebody, so people can't go, ‘It’s not my fault, it’s not my dog, it’s not my responsibility’.’

But Ms Williams is doubtful that micro-chipping would have saved her from injury and would like to see a return to a system of dog licensing. This idea also has the support of David Ryan, who has 26 years experience as a police dog handler and is now chairman of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors.

‘I don't just mean a little card you have to take across to the Post Office,’ he said. ‘It would include education, micro-chipping, neutering where possible, it would include taking out third party insurance, little add-ons that would make owning a dog a responsible thing to do as opposed to a disposable thing.’

Send your opinion of this story below