DERBYSHIRE: Police warning to keep dogs under control

In the latest incident a 10-year-old boy was treated for a cut on his leg after he was bitten by a dog in Ashover.

He had been walking with a friend and his friend’s family along a footpath off Holestone Gate Road on Saturday, March 2 when the incident happened. Officers are investigating.

A 49-year-old man received a caution following a separate incident in North Wingfield on Sunday, February 24.

It is after a 37-year-old woman was bitten by a dog which was running loose. She had tried to stop the animal from attacking the horse her daughter was riding in a field off Chesterfield Road.

A Japanese Akita dog has also been destroyed following investigations into two incidents in Killamarsh on Wednesday, February 6, in which two other dogs were attacked in separate incidents on Rotherham Road.

Two people were bitten while trying to protect their pets and one of the dogs later died as a result of the injuries from the attack.

Police are continuing to make enquiries into the incidents in Killamarsh.

Inspector Glenn Hoggard, who is in charge of policing in the North East Derbyshire area, said: “These incidents show how serious the consequences can be if an animal is not kept under control, causing injuries to other people and also other animals which sadly, in one case, was fatal.

“While most people are responsible dog owners, in light of these recent incidents I feel its appropriate to remind people to make sure that their pet is kept under appropriate control. Even if you know your dog and understand its behaviour, other people may not and might consider it to be frightening or intimidating.”

Advice to dog owners include:

Keep dogs on a lead around busy roads

If you know your dog is not good with other dogs, other animals, children or with people, then avoid letting them off the lead in public areas and places where they could come into contact.

If you allow teenagers or youngsters to walk the dog, make sure they would be able to control them while out walking.

Always clean up after your dog, carry ‘poop scoop’ bags and dispose of the

waste in a litter bin.

If you are in an area where there are farm animals or wildlife, make sure you keep your dog under control, particularly during lambing season when you should keep them on a lead.

Encourage and reward good behaviour- teach your dog commands such as sit, stay and to come back when called.

Insp. Hoggard added: “It is an offence to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place, and we will always investigate and take appropriate action in cases where safety could be put at risk.”

There is help and information on keeping and caring for dogs, and other animals, online, including on the RSPCA’s website: www.rspca.org.uk, Blue Cross for Pets at www.bluecross.org.uk or The Kennel Club: www.thekennelclub.org.uk.