Irresponsible dog owners are causing angst in suburbia by allowing their dogs to roam out of control, with nearly five attacks occurring each day this year across Perth.

Ten of Perth’s 12 biggest councils responded to a survey by The Sunday Times this week, reporting a total of more than 1420 recorded dog attacks against people and other canines so far in 2017. Those same councils — Gosnells, Joondalup, Swan, Cockburn, Melville, Wanneroo, Stirling, Canning, Kalamunda and Armadale — reported nearly 1775 attacks for the whole of last year.

Last Sunday, a 29-year-old man came close to losing an eye and was left requiring more than 25 stitches to his face after he was attacked by a large mastiff while swimming at Entrance Point in Broome.

In August, a 12-year-old boy was taken to hospital after being attacked by a bull mastiff-cross while visiting a home in Kenwick. The surprising dog attack figures have prompted the stepfather of a girl who was mauled by two American Staffordshire terriers in a Bassendean park last year to call for tougher laws.

Camera Icon Injuries suffered by a nine year old girl who was bitten by a dog in Bassendean last year. Credit: 9 News

Michelle Louise Simpson recently became the first in WA to be convicted of unlawful wounding as the result of the actions of an animal following her dogs attacking nine-year-old Kaitlyn, leaving her with bite marks to her face, neck and legs and needing plastic surgery. Kaitlyn’s stepfather Paul Godfrey called for criminal prosecutions, rather than fines issued by councils, to be pursued more often in cases of dog attacks. He said police refused to investigate Kaitlyn’s attack until former police minister Liza Harvey intervened.

Mr Godfrey said Kaitlyn’s scars were a daily reminder of the terrifying attack and she had “good days and bad days”.

“This is not something she is going to ever forget. Given the ferocity of the attack, it is going to be in her psyche for the rest of life,” he said.

Mr Godfrey said there needed to be more clarity over when the Criminal Code could be enforced.

Play Video Michelle Simpson is the first person in the state sentenced for unlawful wounding because of an animal. The West Australian Video Michelle Simpson is the first person in the state sentenced for unlawful wounding because of an animal.

“If Kaitlyn had died during the attack, her case would have been a walk-up start under the Criminal Code for the owner of the dogs to be charged with manslaughter,” he said. “To be charged with unlawful wounding there has to be a demonstration of intent or criminal negligence. The fact that there was no clear piece of legislation to prosecute the owner indicates the legislation needs to be fixed.”

He said long court delays could lead to hesitation from those involved to continue to pursue the prosecution. Mr Godfrey said police initially told him the matter was outside their jurisdiction and that the attack was a matter for council rangers.

“If I hadn’t kept pressing and sought ministerial intervention we wouldn’t have got the outcome we have 12 months down the track with this landmark conviction,” he said.

Administered by council rangers, the WA Dog Act (1976) carries maximum penalties of $10,000 or 12 months jail for serious dog attacks or urging a dog to attack. Only a tiny fraction of dog attacks result in prosecution, with the biggest barrier the number of witnesses or victims who do not wish to provide statements, according to City of Swan chief executive Mike Foley.

Dog etiquette expert Del Fisk, owner of Alert Dog Training, says far too many dogs lack obedience training, adding:

“We don’t have a God-given right to go to a park and let a dog roam free,” he said.

Under the Dog Act, canines must be leashed at all times in public except if they are in designated dog exercise areas, but even then dog owners remain fully responsible for the control and behaviour of their animals. Dog owners face a $200 fine if their pet is off-lead in public.

Local Government Minister David Templeman said the WA Dog Act was due for review in 2019 and that the number of dog attacks was concerning.

“The McGowan Government has committed to implementing its puppy farming policy, which it took to the 2017 election and which will target uncontrolled breeding and endorses responsible dog ownership,” he said. “In the meantime I will be raising this issue with WALGA and the WA Rangers Association.”