The number of dog attacks in the UK has risen by 50 per cent over the last decade, research showed on Tuesday.

Research by insurer LV= reveals attacks on children under nine account for 21 per cent of all incidents.

Urban areas are particularly badly hit – with the number of patients under 18 treated for dog bites in London doubling in the last five years, while in the West Midlands it is up 80 per cent.

According to vets the most common breed of dog in the UK that is inclined to be aggressive is the German Shepherd, followed by the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Rottweilers and Jack Russells.

The number of dog-on-dog attacks has also increased – with 34 per cent of vets reporting an increase in the number of pet owners coming to their practice in the past three years as a result of their dog or other pet being attacked by a dog.

A third of owners say their pets have been attacked in some form.

The RSPCA also reports today a 15-fold increase in dog-fighting calls in a year.

In total the charity received 358 calls about dog fighting last year – with 132 referring specifically to youths or ‘hoodies’ fighting their dogs in the street or park.

Data from the Metropolitan police show 480 dogs seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act in the 12 months to April 2008, compared with 173 in 2007 and an average of 38 a year between 2003 and 2006.

RSPCA chief officer of the inspectorate Tim Wass said: “These new figures confirm what the public, our inspectors, other charities and our animal hospitals have been telling us – that there is a real problem at the moment with people using dogs for aggression and fighting.

“Our concern is that talk of dog fighting promotes images of ‘dangerous’ or ‘devil’ dogs, when in the vast majority of cases, it is the owner who is causing the problem, not the dog. All types of dog can be trained to be aggressive, just as all types of dog can be loving family pets.

The RSPCA is today holding a major ‘summit’ to discuss the increasing controversy over dogs in our communities.

“The point of this gathering is to get a wide range of opinions on what are difficult issues, and to try and establish a unified, workable solution,” Mr Wass said.

“Dogs are man’s best friend, so we want to ensure that they are still seen that way, and not seen as a danger.”