FIVE people a week are being treated for dog bites at Whipps Cross Hospital in a possible further sign that canines are increasingly being used as weapons in Waltham Forest.
Figures released to the Guardian by the hospital show a year-by-year increase in the number of people treated at the Leytonstone hospital for dog bites since 2006.
A total of 258 patients were admitted with dog bites in 2008/09, compared to 253 in 2007/08 and 216 in 2006/07.
The figures come less than a fortnight after an RSPCA report revealed that two-thirds of dog fighting reports are now directly connected to youths using dogs as "weapons of intimidation".
Dawn Avery, RSPCA Waltham Forest inspector, regularly speaks to groups of youths to try and encourage responsible dog ownership.
She said the majority of complaints relate to dog owners aged between 15 and 20 years and the problem was most prevalent in the south of the borough, particularly on the Leyton Grange estate.
In total 188 people contacted the RSPCA last year to report impromptu dogfighting, compared to just 24 calls five years ago. In Waltham Forest there were 15 reports, compared to none at all in 2005.
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