Three seriously hurt in Worcester dog attacks: 'haunting reminder' of aggression
West Mercia Police has said one dog was killed by the family and the second is now in kennels
Two dog attacks in Worcester in eight hours, leaving three people with serious injuries, has been described as a haunting reminder that pets can turn aggressive.
A nine-year-old boy is among the victims to be attacked by a dog in Worcester.
He was bitten on the leg at a house in Portefields Road and taken to hospital just hours after an attack on two people three miles away.
At around 9am, a 68-year-old woman and 38-year-old man were both left with serious injuries, the pensioner’s were described as “life-changing” by West Mercia Police.
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said the unrelated attacks were a haunting reminder that dogs can turn aggressive and cause serious harm
“My thoughts are with the three victims who have had their lives dramatically altered by the horrendous attacks they suffered, and I wish them a safe and speedy recovery,” he said.
He added: “I want to commend the police officers for their quick response to the incidents and reassure local communities that West Mercia Police is following the formal process to establish the breed of dogs involved.”
Maria Murray from the Dogs Trust warned the vast majority of injuries to children are by known dogs – meaning one that’s in their home or at a family member’s.
“The other thing to know is it's very often in the home as well, so in the home environment rather than out and about,” she said.
“I think that's quite a sobering thought for a lot of parents, but actually one that needs to be heard.”
She added: “We don't want to say dogs and children can't live well together and love each other, but it's when a dog feels they can't get away.
“So it's very common for children to put their arms around dogs necks and hug them too tight and kiss them.
“That’s why we see a lot of dog bites actually as well on children tend to be face bites.”
Police, who said they were shocked and saddened, are now working with a vet to find out what breeds the dogs were.
The dog in the first attack, in Boughton Avenue, had been killed before officers arrived – police said this was because the family were trying to stop it from harming them and causing more injuries.
The second dog is now in kennels.