They’re a beloved part of the family in millions of UK households - but charities have issued urgent advice to help protect ourselves when it comes to our dogs .
Although most dog owners will agree with the age-old sentiment that dogs are a man’s best friend, they have been warned to always stay alert as even the most well-behaved dogs can bite. Some dog experts suggest that there could be an increased risk of attacks in the summer as dogs grow more irritable in the hot weather - so owners should be made aware of the dangers now more than ever.
While dog attacks remain a rare occurrence there has been an increase in cases over the last year, with NHS data showing that dog bite incidents rose by 17% in the last 12 months, BirminghamLive reports . Charities including the RSPCA and St John have compiled useful advice to help owners spot the signs that a dog may be about to bite - and what to do if they are bitten or witness an attack.