REVEALED: Greater Brisbane’s alarming dog attack stats

A recent spike in dog attacks, including one that left a four-year-old boy with facial injuries, has prompted councils to urge people to take more responsibility for their pets. SEE THE COUNCIL AREA BREAKDOWN

A recent spike in dog attacks, including one that left a four-year-old with significant facial injuries, has councils and ambulance officers across Greater Brisbane urging people to take more responsibility for their pets.

There were more than 2000 dog attacks reported to councils across southeast Queensland in the past 12 months alone.

Just last week, two children were hospitalised following a dog bite.

One of them, Gympie four-year-old Ace Elson, is lucky to be alive after being mauled at a birthday party.

Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) put out an urgent warning pleading for owners to be more careful.

“In recent months, QAS has seen an increasing number of dog bite or dog attack related incidents where people are sustaining serious injuries,’’ it posted.

The post sparked a huge response from the public

“This (is) getting out of hand. It's about time the owners of these animals get control of them and be responsible for their actions. If you can’t do this, surrender them so they can be put down,” one person wrote

Another said: “My hubby went to work. He is a postie and was attacked by a dog and he ended up with seven wounds and needed surgery.”

SEE THE DOG ATTACK STATS FOR EACH COUNCIL

BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL

There were 1279 attacks reported in the 12 months to April this year.

People were attacked in 550 of those cases and the other 729 just involved dogs.

Council Safety Chair Kim Marx reminded owners that they were responsible for ensuring their pets were under control at all times.

“Animal attacks can be extremely dangerous and upsetting which is why we always stress the importance of responsible pet ownership at home and in public,’’ Cr Marx said.

“There are more than 112,000 registered dogs in Brisbane and registering animals helps us manage risks to the community.

“Any report of an animal attack is investigated as a high priority.”

LOGAN CITY COUNCIL

In the 2020/21 financial year there were 202 reports of animal attacks on people and 339 cases involving only dogs.

About 550 dog attacks involving a bite occur in Logan every year.

“Council takes a zero tolerance approach to instances of poor animal keeping practices which pose a danger to people or animals,” a Council spokesperson said.

MORETON BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

In 2019 there were 216 attacks on people and 549 incidents involving only animals.

In 2020 there were 208 attacks on people 527 cases where dogs had attacked other dogs.

Another 90 people were attacked in the first half of last year, as well as 189 reports of dogs attacking other dogs.

REDLAND CITY COUNCIL

Last year there were 309 complaints about dogs acting aggressively or attacking.

There were 33 cases where people were attacked and 102 incidents where dogs attacked other animals.

A council spokesperson urged owners to keep pets in enclosed yards with appropriate fencing and keep them on a lead at all times when in public, except in designated off-leash areas.

“Council encourages responsible pet ownership in the Redlands Coast, where people register their pets and comply with local laws and regulations,’’ they said.

“Officers conduct proactive patrols across the city to ensure dog owners are being responsible by walking their dogs on a lead, as well as ensuring dogs are not straying from their enclosure, for which they can be fined.”