64,000 dogs died in dog fights in just 12 months

In the past 12 months, 64,097 dogs have died after being involved in a fight, according to Direct Line Pet Insurance. 44,375 have also suffered life-changing injuries because of a fight with more than a quarter (27 percent) of dogs seen by vets after fighting had to be put down due to their injuries. New research by Direct Line Pet Insurance reveals one in seven (15 percent) dog owners have seen their pet attacked by another canine in the last 12 months. Two thirds of owners (66 percent) whose dogs have been involved in a fight said it resulted in injuries to at least one of the dogs involved, with over a third (35 percent) needing veterinary treatment. One in seven owners (16 percent) spent over £700 having to treat their dog or one of the other dogs involved in the fight. Research4 commissioned by the insurer amongst vets, uncovered the awful consequences of dog fights. Many vets report having treated dogs suffering serious internal injuries including punctured stomach and lungs (23 percent), broken jaws and neck injuries (both 10 percent). Sadly, over a quarter of vets (27 percent) have had to put dogs down due to untreatable injuries sustained. Madeline Pike, veterinary nurse at Direct Line Pet Insurance, said: “It is shocking to hear the number of pets injured each year in dog attacks and the horrifying injuries they suffer. Dog owners should ensure if their pet is attacked or involved in a fight they take them to the vet for treatment as soon as possible, to give them the best chance of survival and a full recovery. “The cost of treatment for attack injuries can be extremely high and the last thing dog owners want to think about if their pet is injured is whether they’re covered, which is why we advise all dog owners to regularly review their insurance policy to ensure their dog is covered should the worst happen." Nearly a third of pet owners (29 percent) whose dog has been attacked or involved in a fight in the last 12 months said it was because the owner of the other dog could not control it. A quarter (26 percent) said it happened because the other dog was off the lead and provoked their dog. One in six (15 percent) said the other dog had an aggressive reputation. Madeline Pike continued: “Unfortunately, no matter how responsible and conscientious dog owners are, if other owners are not, serious incidents can occur. All owners should be wary when their dog is off the lead and be vigilant when they interact with other dogs. “Owners with nervous or territorial dogs should consider keeping their dog on a lead when around other animals. This will not only reduce the risk of a potential fight, but will give them the peace of mind that their dog is safe by their side. "There are also collars available for owners which indicate that their dog is nervous or aggressive. This can subtly let other owners know to keep their dogs on leads, or away from the pet in question.” 4 Research carried out among 100 vets across the UK between 31st July and 25th August https://www.directline.com/pet-cover