Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS TrustPolice are making a plea to dog owners to lock your pets away ahead of emergency personnel attending your home following a paramedic being bitten
On 20 March, at 2:45pm police received a call from the ambulance service to report that one of their staff had been attacked whilst treating a woman for breathing difficulties after entering a property in the Doncaster area
The paramedic suffered non-life-threatening injuries to his arm and was taken to hospital. He has since been discharged.
Leading the work on dangerous dogs in South Yorkshire Chief Inspector Emma Cheney said: “We understand that in emergency situations that tensions are heightened and sometimes locking your pets away isn’t a priority, but it needs to be.
“We, alongside other emergency services are here to help you. We cannot help if we are injured in the line of duty.
“Animals can act out of character and although you may not think your dog would bite, during times of stress and uncertainly, we cannot predict how they will act.”
“If you have called 999 and are awaiting a police, ambulance, or fire response, please lock your pets away.”
“If you have a scheduled appointment with a police officer or a healthcare professional, please lock your pets away prior to their arrival. This ensures your dog does not become agitated when they hear them approaching or knocking at your door.”
