BBC Wells checks
Dog Attack Survivors have described the destructive physical and mental effects of their injuries, as new data shows that in the last five years thousands have sought medical treatment for dog attacks.
William Newbury, 22, who was attacked by three dogs in April and suffered serious injuries in their body, said the examination had left them unable to face them.
“I am unable to work and as a result I am more than £ 8,000. I am struggling at home all the time,” Mr. Nubri said, who lost two fingers in the attack.
Police forces in England and Wales have seen an increase in the number of dog attacks on people during the last five years.
Warning: The article has graphic images of dog bites
Sri Nubri from Cardiff was going to meet a friend and his child, when he was attacked by three dogs and stepped into protecting them.
Mr. Nubri said, “The support coming out of the hospital was unprecedented, but now I am not having sex.”
He said, “This affects my confidence, when I am out, I look funny because there are marks on my arms, and it wants me to wear a jumper so that anyone can see it.”
Mr. Nubri said that colleagues, friends and family were helpful, people usually “do not understand later”.
He said that he was paying for weekly counseling sessions due to the NHS waiting list.
The Welsh government said it was progressing to reduce the waiting time for mental health services due to the increasing demand for support.
William neburyMr. Nubri said that his experience means that he described as a “safe place” when he left his home.
“I still love dogs, but naturally I amware of them. I love dogs from far away, we will say.”
He said: “On the second day I went to walk through the St. David Shopping Center, and parked there because I know that the dogs are not there until it is for a medical reason like a guide dog.”
He said that he was overwhelmed by kind gestures and comments, for whom he was incredibly grateful.
A garage in Cardiff replaced his car – which was damaged in the attack – for free, while another company sent him a free watch.
“He said that he knew how difficult it was for me to stay inside, so that it would be something to see me.”
He said that his girlfriend Jamie-Li, who saw the attack through the window, had helped him in everything since leaving the hospital.
“I don’t know where I am without him,” he said.
BBC Wales requested information from health boards in Wales to show that 2,910 people sought medical treatment for dog bites or attacks in the last five years.
The latest data for England showed that there were more than 43,000 reports of dog attacks by health boards and trusts from 2020 to November 2024.
Police forces in England and Wales have also seen an increase in the number of dog attacks on people during the last five years.
There were 32,568 crimes in 2024 – 4% increase at total 31,398 in 2023, Freedom of information data received by BBC From every police force in England and Wales.
The actual attack figures are likely to be more because the data only counts the incidents informed to the police.
‘Dogs can pose a serious risk’
Prof. Vivian Lease, Vice President of the Royal College of Surgeon, England, said the severity of injuries caused by dog attacks could vary greatly.
“In the most severe cases, patients may require reconstruction surgery and long -term rehabilitation to regain dynamics and quality of life,” Prof. LIS said.
“Awareness and vigilance are going on. Dogs can pose a serious risk, especially when they are poorly trained, neglected or misbehaved.”
22 -year -old Erin Evans from Guvind was bitten by a dog on his face four years ago, while out with friends.
Ms. Evans said, “This is an empty, I remember that there was a weight of blood and then I collapsed.”
It abandoned the four -year surgery needs to re -create its top lips.
“When it happened that what happened, I really started feeling less. Looking back I should have asked for help,” said Ms. Evans.
Erin EvansThe attack dropped Ms. Evans out of her nursing degree and lost confidence.
“I was bubbly and happy all the time, but I really fought and could not move forward. I was constantly in the hospital forward and back and found it difficult to talk about it.”
She said that she still experiences flashback and was careful with dogs, despite being three herself and being an animal lover.
“I am alert after everything I am doing, but I still love all the breeds of dogs.”
Once she became clear from NHS that her reconstruction processes were cured, Ms. Evans had a cosmetic tattoo on the lips.
“Before I try to hide my lips, but I am not like this now, I get a lot of praise now,” he said.
Erin EvansImogen Hughes, a permanent makeup artist located in Conwy, who did cosmetic work on the lips of Ms. Evans, stated that he focused on her appearing “more symmetrical”.
The work has been made by Ms. Hughes of more than one million times, thousands of likes and hundreds of positive comments before and after the social media posts.
Ms. Hughes said, “I had a lot of messages from girls who had similar experiences, including America.”
However, he warned that such a tattoo could be complex.
He said, “The last thing you want to do is another shock in the area, so review from companies and heal from companies in which you are interested,” he said.
Ms. Evans has graduated from a degree in childhood and youth studies, and said that she feels more positive about the future.
“I want someone to tell me that it would be better, and now I want to do so for other people,” she said.
If you are influenced by the issues raised in this story you can go BBC Action Line For details of organizations that can offer support.
