MORE people were attacked by dogs in Lake Macquarie than in any other Hunter council area over the same period, the latest figures show.
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The Office of Local Government has released dog attack incidents for the first quarter of the financial year, detailing the number of incidents reported.
Lake Macquarie had the highest number of people attacked, 64, while neighbouring Central Coast Council topped both the number of animals attacked and total number of incidents with 75 and 95 respectively.
Lake Macquarie also had the highest number of people involved in less serious attacks, meaning no medical treatment was required, with 56 of those recorded.
Coffs Harbour had the most serious attacks overall with 10, while Wollongong and Lake Macquarie both recorded eight to rank equal second for most incidents.
The figures for Lake Macquarie, which also has the third-highest number of dogs in the state at nearly 80,000, also easily bypass Newcastle’s tally of 24 attacks over the same period.
A dog attack is classed as “any incident where a dog rushes at, attacks, bites, harasses or chases any person or animal (other than vermin)”.
It does not indicate an injury was sustained.
A council spokeswoman said Lake Macquarie City Council takes a proactive approach to dealing with dangerous, menacing and nuisance dogs.
She said the council area's higher human population compared to many parts of NSW also translated to a larger number of dogs.
The spokeswoman said rangers followed up all dog-related incidents with comprehensive investigations, and also worked with police to examine the circumstances around attacks.
“The council encourages the public to report all dog attacks whether or not any injury was sustained,” she said. “Approximately 5 per cent of recorded dog attacks are of a serious nature.”
“The council encourages the public to report all dog attacks whether or not any injury was sustained.
- Lake Macquarie City Council spokeswoman
In Newcastle the figures show 14 people were attacked in 24 incidents, with 17 attacks also involving other animals as victims.
Port Stephens had 17 incidents, with five people involved in serious ones and four in less serious incidents. 20 animals were attacked in the coastal district.
Maitland reported 25 incidents, two serious, while Cessnock’s tally reached 11, with five serious attacks against people.
Matt Carr
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
