THE hospital trust serving mid and south Essex recorded more dog-bite admissions than any other NHS provider in England last year, new figures reveal.

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust recorded 657 admissions with the cause recorded as being bitten by a dog during 2025.

The provisional figure was the highest recorded by any provider in England and 71 above Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, which ranked second with 586.

The figures form part of wider data obtained from NHS England following a Freedom of Information request by solicitors John Fowlers.

Across England, the total number of hospital admissions where the primary diagnosis or cause of admission was a dog bite, dog attack or injury caused by a dog reached 10,808 in 2025.

That was up from 8,409 in 2021, an increase of almost 29 per cent.

People aged 65 and over accounted for the largest number in 2025, with 2,255 admissions, compared with 1,573 in 2021.

Henry Nydam, legal expert at John Fowlers, said victims should seek treatment and begin collecting evidence even when an injury initially appears minor.

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He said: "A dog bite can be painful in the literal sense, but it can also be a painful process to get justice because the keeper's liability depends on the circumstances of the case.

"If you are bitten, get medical treatment as soon as you can, even where the injury looks minor.

"Photograph your injuries and collect as much evidence as possible, including details of the dog, its keeper, any witnesses and the location. If the incident is serious, report it to the police and seek legal advice."

Henry also urged owners whose dog has injured somebody to secure the animal immediately, check whether the victim needs medical help and contact their home or pet insurer.

He said: "Avoid arguing or admitting liability before all the facts are known. The priority should be preventing any further injury and making sure the person receives the help they need."