Dog Bite Cases on the Rise in the UK

Dog bites and attacks are on the rise in the UK with victims suffering severe injuries and even death. According to research the incidents are rising and occurring with greater frequency. The media has reported over 388 pit bull attacks causing 16 victims injured with severed body parts. In addition, 2 percent of the total dog bites have tragically resulted in death.

The rise in attacks may be due to the increased interest in owning a pit bull. While this breed is fiercely loyal to its owner, it has a short fuse when aroused. Because of its massive body frame, owners must take every precaution when walking the dog on public streets. Though obedient when all is well, it only takes a scowl from another dog to send the pit bull into a rage.

Some of the bites and attacks on humans have been reported as accidental when a large dog attempted to play with an infant. Parental supervision must be exercised at all times until the child is old enough to master the dog. Although the family pet is amicable most of the time, it takes only a loud jarring noise or rapid arm movement to rile him up. Young children should never be left alone with large and instinctively aggressive dogs, no matter how loving they may seem.

Accidental or not, such attacks have have triggered a rise in claims for dog bite compensation. Although such injury claims are seen by some as unnecessarily adding to our 'claims cluture' it is a harsh reality that many of these attacks result in victims suffer long term effects both physical and mental.

Statistically, the majority of pit bull attacks have occurred when the dog was on the loose away from its owner. This irresponsible behaviour can be credited towards man, not the dog. A responsible pet owner will ensure that all exits from the property are carefully secured for the animal's safety as well as the neighbours. Owners of large dogs and those with a predictable temper must take extra precautions with sturdy yard enclosures and use a strong leash for walks. And how many times have we seen a young child trying to pull back a German Shepherd only to be dragged about when the dog goes into a frenzy? In most cases, people are the root cause to the rise in dog bites and must learn to apply common sense and authority over their pets.

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