ALMOST 1,000 people were attacked by dogs last year in Northern Ireland, it can be revealed.
In the latest attack, a female PSNI officer underwent surgery after a dog bit her during a call-out in north Belfast on Wednesday.
The dog could only be brought under control after a Taser gun was used on it. The Rottweiler-type dog was uninjured and is now in the care of a dog warden.
And last weekend Armagh teenager Eoin Toal was hospitalised after being attacked by a pit bull-type dog.
Now the News Letter can reveal that 909 incidents of dog attacks are currently being investigated across Northern Ireland.
This number does not include attacks that have not been reported to local authorities.
In response to an Assembly question by DUP MLA Alex Easton, Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill released figures showing exactly how many attacks were reported last year.
The highest number of attacks took place in the Newry council area, where 157 incidents are being investigated, followed by Belfast, where the figure was 122.
The next highest number of incidents was North Down, with 60.
By comparison, the Province’s smallest council areas, Moyle and Larne, are looking into the least number of attacks, just one in each area.
David Wilson, from the USPCA, said that while Newry had a stray dog problem, he did not believe dog attacks were any worse in the city than in the rest of Northern Ireland.
“We find Newry council would be very honest about reporting it and a very good council in terms of animals,” he said.
“They do have a considerable stray dog problem about the town but they are working hard to bring this under control.
“I don’t think the number of attacks has increased, it has always gone on, just not been reported as much.”
From May legislation covering dogs will change, making owners responsible if their dog attacks someone.
Mr Wilson advised anyone confronted by an aggressive dog to report it to police and also to the dog warden of the local council, who can seize the animal.