DOZENS of dog bite incidents were treated in hospitals across the Bradford district last year, new figures show.

NHS data shows there were 60 episodes of patients being treated in hospital for dog bites in the former NHS Bradford District and Craven CCG in the year to March 2023 – in line with the year before.

These figures are rounded and are not a count of people, as one person could be seen more than once within the year.

In May, the Telegraph & Argus reported how a Bradford mum spoke of her horror after a dog attacked her six-year-old twins on the school run.

The incident unfolded in a matter of seconds as Habiba Memi walked along Hollingwood Lane with her daughters Fatima and Firdaus Sheikh and 10-year-old son.

One of the girls sustained two injuries and the other eight injuries all over her body.

“It just kept going for her even though I was moving her to the side, it was swerving me and just going straight for the girls."

Nationally, there has been a rising number of episodes 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 prior and the highest number since at least 2011.

Owen Sharp, chief executive at Dogs Trust, said most dogs live harmoniously within families, but most bites happen within the home.

"Basic training of dogs is not enough; close supervision of children and dogs while interacting is the most effective way of preventing incidents," he said.

"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."

Separate data shows 1,700 children were admitted to hospital in the last year because of a dog bite incident.

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."

She added a small amount of research by pet owners on dog body language would prevent countless accidents.