Christmas dog attacks: Child loses part of thumb in horrifying Sheffield Boxing Day dog attack
A dog has been seized after a horrifying incident saw a child lose part of their thumb in attack by a dog on Boxing Day.
South Yorkshire Police revealed the incident happened in the afternoon, and it was one of two dog attacks that they have today outlined that they had to deal with in the city yesterday.
And there were more in other parts of South Yorkshire.
Over the three day period from the start of Christmas Eve to the end of Boxing Day, police received 15 calls for assistance over dogs causing injury or fear, with children as young as two bitten in their homes.
The first of the Boxing Day incidents came just before 3am, with a report at a woman in Barnsley had been bitten on her face by a German Shepherd Cross Dog. Her injuries required her to have plastic surgery.
As the day progressed, at 11am, officers were called to Sheffield after a two year-old had been bitten by an XL Bully.
Three hours later, officers deployed to Doncaster where a couple in their 70s were both bitten by a Belgian Malinois and required treatment for puncture wounds.
Three hours later again, officers deployed to Sheffield after a child presented at hospital after having their thumb partially amputated by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier family dog.
Police said in a statement today: “The dogs involved in these incidents have since been seized.
“These are just a ‘snapshot’ of the demand we have been facing due to dangerous dogs over Christmas.
“We are urging you to act. Gatherings in your home, new toys, loud noises, the excitement from children can be overwhelming for dogs, and cause them stress or to act in a manner that wouldn’t usually be their character.
“Any dog has the ability to bite, cause injury or fear- do not think it won’t happen to you or in your home.”
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They today issued advice for families with dogs. They said::
> Never leave children and dogs unattended
> Make sure your dog has somewhere safe and comfortable to go to when you have visitors
> As your family grows and your children become older, changes in your house may need to be made. As children become more mobile, consider stair gates to separate your dog and child
> If you are concerned about your dog’s behaviour, free help is available from the Dog’s Trust- https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/how-we-help/ownership/behaviour-support-line