Two-year-old child bitten by XL Bully on Boxing Day during spate of dog attacks
A two-year-old child was bitten by an XL Bully dog on Boxing Day, as police reveal the extent caused to people by a spate of dog attacks over the festive period.
South Yorkshire Police said it was called out to 15 different incidents of dogs causing injury or fear between Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
A woman in Barnsley required plastic surgery after she was bitten in the face by a German Shepherd cross at around 3am on Boxing Day.
Officers were called out to Sheffield a few hours later at 11am after a two year-old had been bitten by an XL Bully.
At around 2pm, police were called to Doncaster after a couple in their 70s were both bitten by a Belgian Malinois and required treatment for puncture wounds, and to Sheffield again at around 5pm after a child was taken to hospital when the family Staffordshire Bull Terrier bit its hand, partially amputating their thumb.
All of the dogs involved in the incidents have been seized by police.
A statement from the force said: “These are just a ‘snapshot’ of the demand we have been facing due to dangerous dogs over Christmas.
“We are urging you to act. Gatherings in your home, new toys, loud noises, the excitement from children can be overwhelming for dogs, and cause them stress or to act in a manner that wouldn’t usually be their character.
“Any dog has the ability to bite, cause injury or fear- do not think it won’t happen to you or in your home.”
South Yorkshire Police also issued the following advice to dog owners:
- Never leave children and dogs unattended
- Make sure your dog has somewhere safe and comfortable to go to when you have visitors
- As your family grows and your children become older, changes in your house may need to be made. As children become more mobile, consider stair gates to separate your dog and child