There has been a huge rise in the number of dog attacks in Kent, with action taken against almost 750 owners last year alone.

Figures given to KentOnline following a Freedom of Information request reveal 745 offences were recorded of an owner or person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury in 2016 - a massive 46-fold increase in five years.

Two more offences were logged involving a person owning or being in charge of a dangerous dog that injured an assistance dog last year - one less than in 2015.

In contrast the total number of offences offences involving dangerous dogs logged in 2010 stood at 19, dropped to 16 in 2011, rose to 97 in 2012, jumped to 321 in 2013, reached 455 in 2014 and then 597 in 2015.

The statistics come as the owner of a dog who attacked nine-year-old Reggi Jarvis faces sentencing this week.

The youngster was bit by a Japanese Akita.

His mum Lecretia Barnes said: "The impact on our family was massive.

"The bite broke one of the main bones in Reggi's hand so he had to go to Chelmsford Hospital. He was there for two weeks.

"He used to love dogs but he doesn't like to go near them now.

"He will have to have a metal plate in his hand for the rest of his life."

The RSPCA's dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines thinks aggression in dogs is a deep-rooted issue.

She said: "Aggression in dogs is very complex and there are different reasons why a dog might bite such as an underlying medical condition or injury, or fear of certain situations or circumstances.

"Whilst, in general, the number of dog bite incidents per year are small, they can cause significant physical and psychological trauma to the person involved.

"The RSPCA believes it is vitally important that owners care for their dog’s properly and ensure that they are happy and healthy.

"It is vitally important owners care for their dogs properly and ensure they are happy and healthy" - Dr Samantha Gaines

"Providing the right training, interactions and experiences help shape well-rounded, happy, friendly dogs, but it is also crucial that people learn how to act around dogs and understand and respond to their body language and behaviour.

"This is especially the case with children as they can be very difficult for dogs to understand.

"Children often treat dogs like their friends using a lot of physical contact to express their affection which dogs generally find threatening.

"It is therefore imperative that parents actively supervise their children when around dogs looking for signs that their dog might be uncomfortable and in need of some space.

"They also need to teach their children how to behave and interact safely with dogs - whether it’s their own family pet or other dogs in public places or private homes and gardens.

"Any dog owners who have concerns about their pet’s behaviour should seek advice from their vet who may refer them to a clinical animal behaviourist."

Sergeant Ian Warner said: "The volume of recorded dog attacks has progressively increased from 2012 and to a large extent we believe this may be due to heightened public awareness of legislation relating to dangerous dog offences, changes to the legislation itself in 2014 and a change in recording practices within Kent Police.

"If a dog is deemed to be 'dangerously out of control’ and has attacked or is likely to attack member(s) of the public, police can arrange to have the animal seized. The police will then investigate the alleged offence.

"When Kent Police receives calls from dog owners who are concerned their dog might be a dangerous breed our dog unit is able to offer expert advice to either allay those fears or confirm the dog would indeed be classed as a dangerous dog."