Boy Bitten by Dog

A teenage boy has been taken to hospital after he was bitten by a dog in Wolverhampton.

The 13-year-old sustained injuries to his arms and puncture wounds to his chest following the attack in Ashbourne Road.

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said a crew treated the boy at the scene before taking him to the city's New Cross Hospital.

He is currently in hospital recovering from his injuries, which are described as serious but not life-threatening.

The spokesman said: "The 13-year-old, who lives in the local area, had suffered puncture wounds to his chest, a severe injury to arm and bites to his abdominal area.

"On arrival at the scene there was no sign of the dog but there was a large crowd gathering.

"The crew quickly got the boy on to the ambulance and started dressing his wounds before taking him to New Cross Hospital, where they arrived just 14 minutes after the initial 999 call.

"The crew said that the youngster was remarkably calm and very brave considering the level of injury he had suffered."

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Katrina Elsey from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: "Unfortunately, I have seen a dramatic increase in dog attacks over the last year. This case demonstrates yet again, the need for owners to take responsibility for their dogs and to ensure that dogs do not become loose to wander the streets. Being bitten by a dog can have lasting effects and often leads to psychological distress for victims. The law is complex for pursuing a dog bite claim and therefore if you or a member of your family has been attacked by a dog."

Partner at the firm David Urpeth added: "This is another terrible example of the horrific injuries that can be inflicted in dog attacks.

"Dog bites on members of the public area huge concern and one which I believe the current legislation fails to address.

"I would call for all dog owners to have mandatory insurance for their dogs.

"I regularly act for members of the public in cases where they have suffered serious bog bites."