Man Hospitalised Following Incident With Staffs Bull Terrier

The dangers of dog attacks have been emphasised by an attack which left a police officer in Gloucestershire hospitalised, according to an expert lawyer at Irwin Mitchell.

According to Gloucestershire Police, the officer suffered serious arm injuries after he and a colleague stopped a car in Twigworth. The Staffordshire bull terrier was in the vehicle when the incident occurred.

The dog remained in the car until handlers were sent to the scene to detain it, while the officer was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital for treatment.

Irwin Mitchell represents numerous victims of all ages who have suffered both serious physical and psychological injuries as a result of dog attacks, while the firm’s team of animal bites specialists have long campaigned for more support to be offered to victims of such incidents.

David Urpeth, a Partner with expertise in the area, said: “It is hugely worrying how frequent dog attacks are in the news, with people of all ages often left with significant physical and emotional scars from such incidents.

“The Government’s work to review and assess potential new legislation in relation to dangerous dogs cannot come soon enough as, if done properly, it could play a huge role in providing new safeguards.

“One we would particularly like to see is the need for dog owners to have compulsory insurance, which would ensure that anyone hurt as a result of an attack will be able to gain access to rehabilitation and care support which otherwise they may not be able to get.

“It is clear that comprehensive measures are needed to ensure the general public are able to get the help they need when hurt in such terrible incidents.”