Police warning after children hurt by dogs across the county

Sussex Police has issued a warning after a number of children were hurt after being scratched or bitten by dogs in the county in recent weeks. Police said some of those hurt were injured by their family pet but others were bitten by the animals of their friends. There was no single breed of dog involved in the incidents. Officers from the Sussex and Surrey dogs unit are now warning people to take care when allowing children to spend time with dogs. The incidents over the weekend of June 19-21 included: - a Staffordshire Bull Terrier bit a 14-year-old girl three times when the victim went to a visit a friend in Grangecourt Drive, Bexhill, at 4pm on Sunday 21 June. The victim had to be treated in hospital. - a 12-year-old girl was attacked by her family pet, a Fox Terrier, and bitten on the face at about 9pm on Friday 19 June in Eastbourne Road, Halland. She had to have 11 stitches to her face in hospital. - a five-year-old girl was bitten three times by the family’s Staffordshire Bull Terrier in St Andrews Close, Chichester, on 21 June. She had to have three stitches to her face. - an eight-year-old girl was bitten by a friend’s Shitzu-Bizon cross in Stroud Green Drive, Bognor Regis, on 21 June. The child had to have five stitches to her face. - a two-year-old suffered cuts to her forehead and cheek after she was scratched by the Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross of a family friend in South Farm Road, Worthing, on Saturday 20 June. The toddler was treated in hospital. - a 14-year-old was scratched on the cheek by her family’s Dachshund in Edburton Avenue, Brighton, on 20 June. The victim was treated in hospital. Inspector Di Lewis, from the Sussex and Surrey dogs unit, said: “More and more people are out enjoying the warmer weather and longer days which is meaning children are having more contact with dogs that are out with their owners. “Dogs can get excited when playing and may accidentally hurt children or adults. If the dog does not know the person it could become confused and think they are playing a game with it - or the animal could become scared and bite or scratch to defend itself. “That applies both when you are outdoors but also when you go to the home of someone who has a dog who does not know you. The fact that children have also been injured by their family dogs shows how dangerous they can be if they are not properly supervised. “I would urge everyone to be wary of how a dog could act. Every dog is different but they are all animals and you cannot predict how they will react if they feel provoked. Children should not be left alone with dogs. “The simple message is be careful when you are playing with dogs.” Since last year it has been a criminal offence for an owner to allow their dog to bite someone, whether it happens in public or private. Dogs can be put to sleep if they are shown to have attacked someone and the owners can be prosecuted. If you are concerned a dog is acting dangerously out of control call 999. Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage 2) Like our Facebook page 3) Follow us on Twitter 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! Always the first with your local news. Be part of it.