THE number of dangerous dog attacks reported to Gwent Police has increased by 216 per cent in the last five years, a freedom of information request has revealed

The figures, obtained by the Argus, reveal there were just seven cases dealt with by the force in Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire and Torfaen in 2011-12.

The number of attacks has continued to rise in the last five years and there were 73 incidents in 2012-13, 118 cases in 2013-14, 137 reports in 2014-15 and 231 attacks in 2015-16.

These figures represent the number of dog owners who have allowed their canine to be dangerously out of control in public or behind closed doors, injuring a person or assistance dog in the process. They do not include dog-on-dog or dog-on-livestock attacks, as these are not recordable or notifiable offences for the police.

From June 15, 2011 to June 14 this year, the figures also reveal there have been 44 dogs seized and 12 dogs destroyed under the Dangerous Dogs Act in Gwent.

A spokeswoman for the Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, said: “We are concerned by the increase in number of dog attacks in Gwent.

“We believe it is the responsibility of dog owners to ensure their dogs are properly trained and under control and that the public, especially children, need to be educated on how to behave around dogs.”

A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said: “We always urge that serious dog bite incidents on a member of the public be immediately reported to the police.

“Whilst a rise in the number of dog incidents is a cause for concern, this can also suggest improved enforcement, awareness and reporting.

“Crucially, dog owners must be responsible for their dog’s behaviour around other people and animals and we would urge owners who have concern about the way in which their dog behaves to seek advice from either a dog trainer or clinical animal behaviourist.”

The maximum jail sentence for a dog attack resulting in the death of the victim will be increased by two years to 14 years by the Sentencing Council from July 1.