PHS FOI 2026-002438

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Date of request

07 July 2026

Date of response

22 July 2026

FOI request ID

PHS FOI 2026-002438

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• Performance and monitoring

Request

“I would be grateful if you could provide the following information for each calendar year from 2021 to 2026 inclusive:

1. The number of attendances at Accident and Emergency departments, Minor Injury Units or other unscheduled care services within Scotland where the presenting complaint, diagnosis or recorded incident involved a dog attack, dog bite or injury caused by a dog.
2. Of the attendances identified above, the number involving:
   1. persons aged under 16 years;
   2. persons aged 16 years and over.
3. The total number of inpatient admissions arising from dog attacks, dog bites or injuries caused by dogs.
4. The total number of inpatient bed days attributable to admissions arising from dog attacks, dog bites or injuries caused by dogs.
5. The average length of stay, in days, for patients admitted following a dog attack, dog bite or injury caused by a dog.
6. The number of operative procedures undertaken as a result of injuries sustained in dog attacks, dog bites or injuries caused by dogs.
7. Any recorded estimate of the cost incurred by NHS Scotland in treating patients following dog attacks, dog bites or injuries caused by dogs.
8. The number of patients admitted to:
   1. intensive care units
   2. high dependency units; following a dog attack, dog bite or injury caused by a dog.
9. Whether the breed or type of dog involved in an incident is routinely recorded by the Health Board.
10. If the answer above is yes, the number of incidents recorded for each breed or type of dog for the period 2021 to 2026.
11. Copies of any current policies, guidance notes, clinical protocols or data recording guidance relating to the recording, classification or reporting of dog attacks, dog bites or injuries caused by dogs.”