EXCLUSIVE: More backing for Clyde News campaign on dogs after latest attack
The figures come after a nine year-old girl needed surgery following an attack on a beach in Ayrshire.
Last updated 4th May 2018
As a 9 year old girl recovers from surgery following the latest instance of a vicious dog attack Clyde News can reveal more than 360 people were treated by NHS Ayrshire and Arran last year alone for dog bites.
That is according to exclusive figures obtained by us which also show nearly 70 of the victims were under the age of 16.
The stats come as an investigation continues into the attack on the school girl at Croy Shore near Maybole.
The 9 year-old was walking with her mum around 12pm on Friday 5 January 2018 when a black shaggy coated dog ran up to them and bit the youngster on the leg.
Her mum dressed the wound but it worsened over the weekend and on Sunday she was admitted to Crosshouse Hospital for surgery.
Constable Jamie Dunlop from Ayr Police Station said: “The mother and daughter did not recognise the dog from being on the beach before and it is vital that anyone with information that could assist our enquiries comes forward.
“If you were near to Croy Shore on Friday afternoon and either witnessed what happened or noticed a black shaggy dog in the area, please get in touch.
“Anyone with information can contact Ayr Police Station via 101, quoting incident number 3517."
The incident and our figures have prompted renewed calls for the Control of Dogs Act in Scotland to be reviewed.
Ayrshire MSP Kenneth Gibson thinks it needs to be made safer for everyone.