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More people admitted to hospital after dog injuries | More people admitted to hospital after dog injuries |
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Hospital admissions for serious dog-related injuries rose by 5% in England last year, according to NHS data. | Hospital admissions for serious dog-related injuries rose by 5% in England last year, according to NHS data. |
There were 6,120 hospital admissions from May 2010 to April 2011, up from 5,810 the previous year, figures from The NHS Information Centre show. | |
One in six dog injury admissions in the year up to April involved a child aged under 10. | One in six dog injury admissions in the year up to April involved a child aged under 10. |
A spokesman for the NHS Information Centre said summer was a "seasonal hotspot" for dog injuries. | A spokesman for the NHS Information Centre said summer was a "seasonal hotspot" for dog injuries. |
Incidents of people being bitten or struck by dogs peaked in April this year with 640 admissions - the highest monthly figure for two years. | Incidents of people being bitten or struck by dogs peaked in April this year with 640 admissions - the highest monthly figure for two years. |
The north west had the highest number of admissions for dog bites or other injuries, with 1,090. | The north west had the highest number of admissions for dog bites or other injuries, with 1,090. |
The report also shows that dog-related injuries accounted for about half of all the 12,410 admissions caused by being bitten or struck by various creatures in the 12 months to April 2011. | The report also shows that dog-related injuries accounted for about half of all the 12,410 admissions caused by being bitten or struck by various creatures in the 12 months to April 2011. |
Other creatures | Other creatures |
The NHS Information Centre data also shows there was a 19% rise - from 3,040 to 3,620 - in admissions caused by bites or stings from non-venomous insects such as bedbugs, mosquitoes and fleas, compared with the previous year, with Londoners experiencing the highest rate of incidents. | The NHS Information Centre data also shows there was a 19% rise - from 3,040 to 3,620 - in admissions caused by bites or stings from non-venomous insects such as bedbugs, mosquitoes and fleas, compared with the previous year, with Londoners experiencing the highest rate of incidents. |
And there were 2,560 admissions due to people being bitten or struck by other animals including cows, horses and pigs - up 8% on 2009/10. The south west reported the highest rate of such incidents. | And there were 2,560 admissions due to people being bitten or struck by other animals including cows, horses and pigs - up 8% on 2009/10. The south west reported the highest rate of such incidents. |
Overall hospital admissions rose by 1.8% in the period studied. | Overall hospital admissions rose by 1.8% in the period studied. |
Tim Straughan, NHS Information Centre chief executive, said: "Our statistics show that the summer is a seasonal hotspot for admissions to hospital for injuries caused by dogs. | Tim Straughan, NHS Information Centre chief executive, said: "Our statistics show that the summer is a seasonal hotspot for admissions to hospital for injuries caused by dogs. |
"However, the same timeframe also saw an increase in admissions for injuries inflicted by other creatures - from bugs and horses to cows and pigs. | "However, the same timeframe also saw an increase in admissions for injuries inflicted by other creatures - from bugs and horses to cows and pigs. |
"It is also perhaps surprising to some that a bite or sting from a non venomous insect can be so severe it can result in admission to hospital - but clearly this was the case for some 3,620 admissions in the 12 months to April 2011." | "It is also perhaps surprising to some that a bite or sting from a non venomous insect can be so severe it can result in admission to hospital - but clearly this was the case for some 3,620 admissions in the 12 months to April 2011." |
Sheila Merrill, public health adviser for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said: "Owners are ultimately responsible for making sure that their pet does not pose a risk to other people. | Sheila Merrill, public health adviser for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said: "Owners are ultimately responsible for making sure that their pet does not pose a risk to other people. |
"That means making sure that the animal is properly trained and restrained - where appropriate - and understanding what causes the animal to feel stressed, and therefore more likely to injure by biting or scratching. | "That means making sure that the animal is properly trained and restrained - where appropriate - and understanding what causes the animal to feel stressed, and therefore more likely to injure by biting or scratching. |
"However placid you think your pet is you should never leave it alone with a small child." | "However placid you think your pet is you should never leave it alone with a small child." |