Dogsey

The latest shock figures show that newborns and youngsters under 10 are the most vulnerable to dog strikes, with many of them suffering serious head injuries.

Of the 1,160 children mauled in 2013 almost half of them had to undergo plastic surgery to treat the horrific injuries while more than a quarter required facial surgery.

The appalling figures show an increase since last year and come amid fresh warnings for parents and carers to be cautious when children are around dogs.

Charities say the fact children have no fear and often treat their pets as their peers – by kissing and cuddling them – could mean that a dog turns.

The Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog welfare charity, said: "Young children should never be left alone with a dog.

"Whilst it should be remembered that there are over eight million dogs in the UK which live happily as much loved family members, a dog’s reaction and behaviour in certain situations can strongly differ from that of a human’s."

According to the figures obtained by the Health and Social Information Centre, 588 girls and 572 young boys were rushed to hospital in England in 2013 with injuries caused by dogs.

In the 12 months leading up to January 2014 1,160 children were hospitalised for dog attacks, while 9,710 adults were injured.

The figures mark a six per cent rise from the previous 12 months when there were 9,080 hospital admissions because of dog attacks.

There were also 5 fatal attacks in the 12 months leading up to February 2014.

Eleven-month old Ava-Jayne Corless was found dead after sustaining "unsurvivable" multiple injuries caused by a nine-stone dog as she slept alone

Those living in Merseyside were three times more likely to be attacked by a dog compared to someone in Kent – 281 admissions in Merseyside per 100,000 people compared to 92 in Medway, Kent.

Earlier this year, tougher new laws came into force for dog owners in England and Wales who allow their pets to attack people.

Under the revised 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, a person can now face up to 14 years in jail if their dog fatally attacks and up to five years if an injury is caused.

Any attack on an assistance dog could see the owner face three years' in jail.

For the first time, police and local authorities are now able to demand that owners take action to prevent dog attacks – such as a muzzle or obedience classes - or risk a hefty fine of up to £20,000.

A spokesman from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said it is often "not a case of 'bad dog' but rather 'bad owners'."

"Dogs are highly social animals, but when they're abused and denied the opportunity to engage in natural behaviour or fulfil their basic needs in life including adequate food and water and socialisation with others – it's hardly surprising that they lash out in frustration. It's usually not a case of 'bad dogs' but rather of 'bad owners.' "

There are four breeds prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, along with the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino and the Fila Braziliero, which were originally bred for their ability to fight.

The PETA spokesman said that it was pit bulls who "arguably also the most abused of all dogs."

He continued: "Such breeds are often bullied, tormented, beaten, starved, chained, used as "guard dogs" and trained to attack people and other animals.

"Even if they are not trained to fight, many have often been abused as puppies – so those who then end up with good families may nevertheless behave aggressively, particularly out of loyalty, in defence against people they don't know and imagine may be a threat to their human family.

"The way to prevent more attacks is to prevent dogs from being born only to be abused, which will be best achieved through anti-breeding legislation and sterilisation efforts.

"It is of the utmost urgency that we take these steps."