The shocking number of dog bites treated by RPH and Chorley Hospital last year
Dog bite admissions are up across the country.
A Lancashire hospital trust recorded more than 300 dog-bite admissions last year, placing it sixth among NHS providers in England.
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - which runs the Royal Preston Hospital (RPH) and Chorley and South Ribble Hospital, recorded 302 admissions with an external cause code for being bitten by a dog during 2025.
It was one of only six providers in England to record more than 300 admissions under the code.
The figures form part of wider data obtained from NHS England following a Freedom of Information request by John Fowlers Solicitors.
Across England, the total number of hospital admissions where the primary diagnosis or cause of admission was a dog bite, dog attack or injury caused by a dog reached 10,808 in 2025. That was up from 8,409 in 2021, an increase of almost 29 per cent.
People aged 65 and over accounted for the largest number in 2025, with 2,255 admissions, compared with 1,573 in 2021.
Admissions involving those aged 55 to 64 also rose, climbing from 1,185 to 1,755 over the five-year period.
What should vicims do?
Henry Nydam, legal expert at John Fowlers, said victims should seek treatment and begin collecting evidence even when an injury initially appears minor. He said: “A dog bite can be painful in the literal sense, but it can also be a painful process to get justice because the keeper’s liability depends on the circumstances of the case. If you are bitten, get medical treatment as soon as you can, even where the injury looks minor.
“Photograph your injuries and collect as much evidence as possible, including details of the dog, its keeper, any witnesses and the location. If the incident is serious, report it to the police and seek legal advice.”
Henry explained that “the keeper” may not necessarily be the dog’s registered owner. Depending on the circumstances, it could include the person handling the dog at the time or, where the owner is under 16, the head of the household.
Liability
He added: “Liability following a dog bite can be both civil and criminal. This means there may be the possibility of seeking compensation as well as criminal charges being brought against the keeper. A civil claim may include compensation for pain and suffering, psychological injury, medical costs, loss of earnings and other past or future financial losses. However, every case turns on its own facts. Issues such as whether the dog was provoked, whether somebody was trespassing and whether warnings were ignored may all be relevant.”
Henry also urged owners whose dog has injured somebody to secure the animal immediately, check whether the victim needs medical help and contact their home or pet insurer.
He said: “Avoid arguing or admitting liability before all the facts are known. The priority should be preventing any further injury and making sure the person receives the help they need.”