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Rise In Dog Attacks

Author: The Blue Cross
Posted: Saturday 21st January, 2006. 00:00:00

The Blue Cross, Britain’s pet charity, has today revealed that its animal hospitals in London have seen a worrying rise in dog attacks on other dogs over the past month.

The charity’s flagship hospital in Victoria saw nine canine fight victims, some with life threatening injuries, brought in for treatment. Dogs had been attacked by other dogs in parks, walking along the street and in their own homes - there is no suggestion that these injuries were caused by organised dogfights. One sharpei had all the skin on its side torn off, and had to undergo hours of surgery. The Hammersmith hospital saw about four incidents a week over the same period.

Chief veterinary surgeon at the Victoria hospital, Jess Gower, said: “It is likely that dogs’ routines were disrupted over the Christmas and new year period, leading to stress and possibly increased aggression. It is also possible that as they are being walked at different times they may have encountered new dogs that they didn’t get on with. The Blue Cross recommends keeping the routine as similar as possible over holidays to help avoid this kind of fighting. Neutering can also help reduce aggression in male dogs.”

The charity also warns that owners of multi-dog households should keep an eye on their pets to check that one dog is not being bitten or bullied. Small dogs are particularly at risk from large dogs and owners of large dogs have a particular responsibility to keep their dog under close control, or on a lead. Any dog that is a risk to other dogs should be on a lead or wear a muzzle in the park.

The Blue Cross can offer advice on neutering, and managing multi-dog households. The charity provided care to all the dog fight victims it saw as their owners were on means tested state benefit, a pension with no other source of income, or a provable low income.

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