Thousands of dog attacks have been reported in Melbournes residential streets and parks in recent years, with the northern suburbs topping the list for aggressive dogs. A survey of inner city councils shows there were more than 3500 dog attacks on people and animals between 2011-12 and 2013-14. Most cases involved dogs fighting with each other and incidents where an aggressive dog rushes or lunges at a person and does not bite. But in some cases people were hospitalised after suffering serious injuries. Under the Domestic Animals Act serious injuries include lacerations, broken bones, loss of sensation or function of a body part, and injuries requiring cosmetic surgery. Non-serious attacks are those resulting in abrasions, contusions and single puncture wounds. Darebin had the most complaints about dog attacks in the past three years, with 830 reports, but recorded a 20 per cent drop in the past 12 months. The neighbouring municipalities of Moreland and Banyule each had more than 300 reports of dog attacks since 2011. The biggest jump in reported attacks last year was in the City of Maribyrnong, up 34 per cent to 63. In Melbournes south-east, Glen Eira and Bayside councils both recorded an increase in attacks on people. The neighbouring beachside municipality of Port Phillip recorded the largest drop in dog attacks and of the 12 people who were attacked only one was deemed serious. In the City of Melbourne, half of the 152 attacks in recent years were on people.
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 04:45:39 +0000
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