DOG bites in Worcester have increased by dozens in 2023 compared to last year with the spike in people getting pets during lockdown being blamed.

There has been a total of 912 dog bites in Worcester that have required medical attention between January and June this year, according to a freedom of information request to NHS Worcestershire Acute Hospitals.

This was an increase from 836 dog bites in 2022, a 76-patient rise.

These were seen at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, Kidderminster General Hospital and the Worcestershire Acute Trust.

April had the most dog bites so far this year, with 180 across all the emergency departments and minor injury units. The lowest month for dog bites was January with 122.

More children were also sent to the hospital after being bitten by dogs, with 77 under 18s seen between January in June - up from 74 in 2022.

The data showed that April also saw the most dog bites for those under 18s so far this year with 19.

And the lowest was March with nine.

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Lisa Jackson, dog a Kennel Club accredited behaviourist and dog trainer, felt that the covid pandemic was a big factor in the rise.

She said: "There has certainly been a rise in both dog bites on people and other dogs that we have seen.

"Unfortunately this is a reflection of the pandemic and a lot of new owners taking on dogs that maybe had not had any prior experience or were not able to access behaviour classes.

"Also, the dogs were just not having enough socialisation with other dogs at a young age. Sadly this is now being seen in rising figures."

Lisa Jackson's Dog Training is based in Kemspey and offers classes for companion dog training and specialised classes for agility. 

The month after the data was available, Worcester saw two serious dog attacks in two separate areas of the city.

Three people were hurt in one attack in July - including a woman who suffered potentially life-changing injuries and who was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. 

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A man, aged 38, went to Worcestershire Royal Hospital with serious injuries, while a third man was hurt but did not want to go to hospital.

The dog attack happened in Boughton Avenue, St John's, Worcester.

Police said the family killed the dog, which was a family pet, to prevent further injury. It was dead when the police arrived. 

On the same day, but in an unrelated incident, a nine-year-old boy suffered a serious leg injury caused by a dog at home in Portefields Road, Tolladine.

Officers were called to the incident shortly before 5pm and the child was taken to hospital by his family for treatment.

The dog was recovered by officers and is secured in kennels.