NEW data has revealed the number of dog bites treated at Warrington Hospital in the last year.

The figures show that the number of bites that were treated in Warrington Hospital almost doubled between 2021/22 and 2022/23.

According to the data, which was released by NHS Digital, there were 45 instances of dog bites being treated at the hospital in Warrington in the year up to March 2023.

That is almost one bite per week severe enough to warrant medical attention.

Warrington Guardian: 45 dog bites were treated at Warrington Hospital last year45 dog bites were treated at Warrington Hospital last year (Image: Newsquest)

In the previous year, there were 25 instances of bites being treated in Warrington Hospital - meaning that there was an increase of 80 per cent in just one year.

The records for 2022/23 mark the highest number of bites since 2011, when records began.

Nationally, there has been a rising number 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 before and, again, is the highest number since records began in 2011.

Owen Sharp, chief executive at Dogs Trust, said: "Basic training of dogs is not enough; close supervision of children and dogs while interacting is the most effective way of preventing incidents.

"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, said: "We don’t ever expect our own dogs to bite, but all dogs can – it doesn’t matter what size or breed they are.

"Parents and guardians naturally love the idea of their child having a close bond with the family dog, and in many cases, they do, but having a close bond doesn’t mean that the dog will never bite."

Last year saw 1,700 children admitted to hospitals nationwide due to dog bites.

Katrina Phillips, chief executive of the Child Accident Prevention Trust, said: "Give your dog a safe space they can go to when they need time out from children’s exuberance.

"Even a much-loved family pet can bite if they feel they have no other option."