143% Increase In Dog Attacks In Essex Since 2010

20 October 2016, 17:01 | Updated: 20 October 2016, 17:20

Figures obtained by Heart following a freedom of information request, show dog attacks in Essex have increased by 143% over the last 5 years.

Between 2010 and 2015 the number of attacks by dogs here, where injury has been caused, has gone up by 278.

The figures also show that attacks on children under the age of 18 has almost doubled.

In the last 3 months alone, there have been two fatal dog attacks on children here in Essex. In August this year, 3 year old Dexter Neal was mauled to death in a garden in Halstead and then last Thursday, 4 month old Archie Darby died after being attacked by a dog at his aunt's house in Colchester.

And the trend shows no evidence of slowing down. This year alone, between January and August, there's already been 397 dog attacks in Essex.