Government statistics released through the Health and Social Care Information Centre report 6,447 instances of hospital admission following a dog bite in 2011/2012. The true number is however much greater, as patients treated solely in Accident and Emergency are not included in this data.
As a snapshot, this represents a 5.2%[1] on the previous year’s figures. On a wider scale, the statistics show a 551%[1] increase in dog bites over the past two decades.
Despite the myth that only ‘dangerous breeds’ of dogs attack, any breed of dog can attack or bite a person – the size & age of the dog is irrelevant.
What if I Was Bitten as a Child? – Can I Still Claim?
Children aged ten and under account for the highest rate of hospital admissions of any age group – as a national average, 17 in every 1000[1] children aged ten and under require hospital treatment each year following a dog bite.
If you were bitten by a dog as a child, you have three years to begin your claim from the time of turning eighteen.
If you think you, or someone you know, has been affected by a dog bite and would like expert advice on this type of case, contact Hampson Hughes Solicitors today on 0800 888 6888 or email
[1]Information provided by guardian.co.uk
