Our LGA fourth worst in state for dog attacks

The Coast recorded the fourth highest number of attacks in the state

There were 54 dog attack incidents reported on the Central Coast from October-December 2023, a recent report shows.

Seven people were involved in serious attacks and less serious attacks involved 27 people.

The number of animals attacked was 43.

The number of microchipped dogs on the Central Coast is 157,799 but the State Office of Local Government (OLG) report says that the number of dogs microchipped might not reflect the total number of dogs residing in the area.

Last quarter 156,443 dogs were microchipped.

Serious attacks are defined as where a person was involved, and where the injury resulted in medical treatment, hospitalisation or death.

The less serious attacks involve a person but no injury requiring medical treatment.

The Coast recorded the fourth highest number of incidents across the state.

A dog attack can include any incident where a dog rushes at, attacks, bites, harasses, or chases any person or an animal other than vermin, whether or not an injury is caused to the person or the animal.

The number of dog attack incidents reported across NSW during the second quarter of the financial year 2023/24 was 1213, up by less than 10 from the previous quarter.

An incident may involve multiple people and animals, so the total dog attack incidents reported for each council may not necessarily add up to the total incidents, the OLG said.

The report noted the top 20 attacking dog breeds with the American Staffordshire terrier top of the list followed by the bull terrier, the German Shepherd, the Australian cattle dog and the Rottweiler.

Merilyn Vale