More than 1,200 children hospitalised for serious dog bites over 10-year period, study shows

The increase was driven by an almost doubling of incidence in adults.

Between 2012 and 2022, a total of 3,158 people presented at hospitals with dog bite-related injuries. 

Of these:

• 1,212 were children under the age of 14, accounting for almost 40% of all cases.
• Over 55% of patients treated in hospital underwent surgical procedures requiring anaesthesia. 
• Three-quarters had an open wound with 751 of these having a facial wound. 
• A further 246 suffered fractures. 
• More than 1,300 patients had plastic surgery carried out while 14 patients were diagnosed with sepsis, a life-threatening medical emergency condition.

There were fewer than five deaths recorded during the 10 years.

Ireland is not alone in having a high incidence of serious dog bites with the World Health Organization estimating that dog bites globally lead to "tens of millions of injuries".

Last year, following a number of dog attacks on children and livestock, the Government established a working group on the control of dogs.

In October this year, two women were hospitalised following a serious dog attack in Waterford City.

The dog involved is believed to have been an XL bully, a variation of a pitbull.

Last month, a Kerry farmer lost 25 pedigree sheep in a dog attack.

Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys has said she is looking to expand the restricted breeds list and is to roll out funding for dog shelters that are reporting significant pressure in terms of dealing with stray dogs.

The study will be used to inform and guide policy development to improve dog control and seek to reduce the number of dog bites.

Sinn Féin councillor John Hearne has called for a complete review of all animal welfare.

"Dog control is just not taken seriously by the local authorities," the Waterford councillor said, responding to the report.

"They give a token warden  — who do trojan work for what they can do — but they are not financed.

"We do not have enough of them and there is no enforcement. I don't think we should leave it to local authorities to do it.

"We need a national body to enforce it."

The report has called for policy interventions specifically aimed at addressing the high risk among children.

"Our findings emphasise the importance of improving dog control legislation and enforcement and of developing effective related risk-reduction policies in Ireland to protect the public," the report said.

Details of patients who attended GP practices or emergency departments and those who did not require medical attention were not included in the study.

No data on the types of dogs involved and the circumstances of the attacks was available.