Danger – beware of the fish
NEARLY 50 people a month are being treated in hospitals after being bitten by a bizarre range of creatures, including moles, monkeys and even a pet fish.
Statistics released by NHS Lothian under Freedom of Information laws, show 1,088 people suffered at the paws and claws of animals in 2007.[>
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And, over the last three years, encounters with creatures from jellyfish to gerbils and moles to monkeys have been responsible for a string of painful treatments.[>
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Last year, ferrets, which bite till their teeth meet then hang on, landed six victims in accident and emergency departments.[>
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Vermin such as rats led to 11 victims needing hospital care while grey squirrels have bitten at least nine people over the past three years.[>
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A keen gardener turned up requiring stitches after being nipped by a mole while tending his lawn, while a pet-care worker needed jabs and round-the-clock observation after a monkey scratched her arms.[>
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And farmyard beasts also figure on the list of incidents, with cattle, sheep, pigs and even a chicken, which pecked an infant, causing humans pain and suffering.[>
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The majority of problems were caused by animals usually kept as pets with dogs and cats causing most harm.[>
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In each of the last three years, more than half of injuries caused by animals were by dogs, 527 in 2005, 666 in 2006, and 573 last year.[>
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But one tropical fish enthusiast had to undergo painful skin grafts and have jabs after a rare Indian guppy latched onto his finger and refused to let go.[>
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Scottish SPCA spokeswoman Doreen Graham said: “As far as family pets are concerned, it is important to know how to handle your animal. [>
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“Make sure they are not teased or aggravated when they are unwell. Animals are members of the family and it is important that they are handled properly.”[>
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The figures were released days after an Edinburgh woman was savagely mauled by two Staffordshire bull terriers while trying to protect her own Boxer pet.[>
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Doreen added: “It really does come down to how you train your dog. Staffies are often bought as macho fashion accessories and become status symbols for the local hard man. [>
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“The owner deliberately makes the dog aggressive to add to their status, but any dog can be made aggressive if it is treated badly, from a Chihuahua up.”[>