Attacks by dangerous dogs soar to one a week in Capital

Figures obtained by the Evening News show at least one violent incident involving an out-of-control dog is now being reported every week in the Capital.

And last year, a total of 36 owners faced charges under the Dangerous Dogs Act, compared to 26 the year before and 18 in 2007.

The statistics – which follow a spate of high-profile attacks on people and pets in Edinburgh in recent months – today led animal welfare chiefs to demand that changes to the law are speeded up to give them more powers to deal with so-called "devil dogs".

Today's figures show that in the last year 22 adults were savaged on their arms, hands, legs or face, a child was bitten on the stomach and 27 pet dogs were attacked. Two cats in the Craigmillar area were also mauled to death.

The number of attacks was up on the 43 recorded in 2008 and the 33 the year before, suggesting a growing trend. Only seven of the dogs that attacked people or animals last year were on a lead.

SSPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said the escalating number was "very worrying", and he said the Control of Dogs Bill, which is currently being debated in parliament, should be introduced as soon as possible.

Currently no action can be taken against any dog owner or dog unless it has physically attacked another creature, but under the proposed legislation, introduced by MSP Christine Grahame, police could respond to reports of threatening and uncontrolled behaviour.

Superintendent Flynn said: "Although it is heartening to see that police are taking more action, there is a long way to go to create a safe neighbourhood.

"At the moment police can only act if a person is physically injured, and often this is too late. Under the new bill, if there were any good case for restraining, muzzling or imposing conditions on a dog, it would be legally enforceable. We will be able to make sure that dogs are micro-chipped, walked on a lead or banned from certain areas if necessary. However, we should remember that it is often the irresponsible owner who is at fault. We fully support pulling the hammer down on these people."

The Dangerous Dogs Act, which was introduced to deal with pit bull terriers after a spate of horrific attacks by the breed, is also restricted to dealing with dogs in a public area.

If an attack occurred on private property, a dog owner could not be charged under the DDA, often meaning a less serious sentence and fewer restrictions on the offending animal.

Superintendent Flynn said: "We're hopeful it'll be passed soon because there is little opposition to the bill.

"In particular it will be useful to work with a bill that applies to all dogs, not just pit bulls."

A police spokesman said that the force would not hesitate to prosecute the owners of dangerous dogs.

CATALOGUE OF SAVAGE ASSAULTS

The Evening News told last month how a pet dog had its eye torn from its socket after an attack by a Staffordshire bull terrier. Noodles, a Lhasa apso, was attacked outside his owners' home in Clermiston.

Last autumn, two vicious dogs were reported to have savaged a man and his pet Scottie dog in a park in Liberton. The attack was so violent it knocked 16-stone Jimmy Stuart, 50, to the ground.

Weeks earlier, the Evening News reported how eight-year-old Logan Urquhart was left with a 5in gash on his arm after an attack by a bull mastiff in Walter Scott Avenue in the Inch.

Last summer, police launched a hunt for a 12-stone "mastiff-like" dog that attacked Diane Currie's 10-year-old dachshund Tasha in the Braid Hills.

Last May a five-year-old boy was left with blood gushing from his face after he was bitten by an out-of control-dog. The Lakeland terrier had escaped from the home of its owner, Frieda Laing, 67, and attacked the youngster as he played with his brother in Mayfield.