MERSEYSIDE Police have launched a campaign aimed at reducing dog bite incidents in Merseyside.

The Taking the Lead campaign, launched today (Monday, July 24), is being supported by Merseyside Dog Safety Partnership (MDSP), the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Blue Cross, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, University of Liverpool, Royal Mail and local councils.

The aim of Taking the Lead is to offer important safety tips to all dog owners in Merseyside about looking after their pet, especially around children, which could prevent serious injuries.

Police data shows that children under 16 are most likely to be the victims of dog bites and this risk increases significantly in the summer when more children are at home with their pets or around other people’s dogs, and are also spending more time in public spaces.

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “Here on Merseyside we have seen the devastating consequences a dog bite can have. Yet, we know there are some simple steps that dog owners can take to help protect people, particularly vulnerable children.

“I urge dog owners across Merseyside to take the time to watch these videos, listen to the expert advice and think about the measures they can take to prevent anyone getting hurt by a dog over the summer and beyond.”

Merseyside Police also has the highest number of reported dog bites causing injury of any police force in the country.

In 2022, there were tragically two fatal dog attacks in Merseyside.

On Tuesday 21 March, 17-month-old Bella-Rea Birch was killed after she was attacked by a dog in her home on Bidston Avenue in St Helens.

The dog involved, which was humanely destroyed, was an American Bully XL, a legal breed not subject to any prohibitions under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. 

On Monday 3 October, Ann Dunn, aged 65, died following a dog attack at a house in St Brigid’s Crescent, in Kirkdale.

Five American bulldogs, which were inside the property, were handed over and humanely destroyed.

Statistics provided by the School of Veterinary Science at the University of Liverpool shows that in Merseyside, there tends to be more dog bites in areas with socio-economic challenges.

In terms of the other boroughs, St Helens was the fifth highest local authority for hospitalisation rates, Liverpool was sixth, Sefton was 30th and Wirral was 106th.