DATA: The number of dog attacks in the South Burnett.

DATA: The number of dog attacks in the South Burnett. Yuriy Zelenenkyy

THERE have been 24 dog attacks across the South Burnett so far this year.

The dogs have attacked people on 12 occasions and animals 12 times.

South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell said based on this data, he expected 141 dog attacks would happen in the region this year.

Cr Campbell said this was in line with statics in recent years.

In 2018, 58 people were attacked by dogs and 83 animals were attacked to bring the total to 141 attacks.

While in 2017, 95 cases of dogs attacking animals were recorded and 53 cases of dogs attacking people.

When responding to a dog attack, Cr Campbell said the first priority for the council compliance team was the community's safety.

"The focus initially is public safety so if there is a dog still at large threatening potentially public safety then the dog needs to be detained and secured," he said.

When the risk is addressed the team make contact with the victim, collect evidence and get a statement of events.

If applicable, the team speak with any eye witnesses and, if the owner of the attacking dog is known, council follows up with them to get their side of the story.