Last week when reports of a toddler brutally attacked by four dogs were publicized, it was stated that there were many more such incidents not reported in the media.

According to The Bahamas Journal of Science, an average of 176 people (with a minimum of 52 and a maximum of 402) were treated for dog bites at Princess Margaret Hospital each year between 1990 and 1997.

A hospital source was unable to give more recent statistics, but said that over the past several years, there has been a decrease in the number of dog bites.

There is usually an increase in dog bites during summer months, when children are outside playing most of the time, the source also noted.

An average of 62 complaints (with a minimum of 59 and a maximum of 68) concerning dogs was reported to police between 1993 and 1997.This is why the Dog Licence Act of 1942 should be strictly enforced.

People should not be allowed to continue having their pets roaming around.

The toddler in this incident was lucky to survive, but the next victim may not be so lucky.

So if nothing else comes out of this, it is hoped that all of this attention educates people again on the importance of keeping their yards fenced in once they have dogs.

According to statistics, The Bahamas has 45,000 dogs, and until persons become more responsible, this number will continue to increase to unhealthy levels.

Moreover, there is no count out there as to how many of these dogs have rabies and are promoting unsanitary conditions as they overturn garbage.

And although this issue only surfaces every once in a while, it seems as if the animal control unit may not have the staff complement to handle the number of stray dogs roaming New Providence. With a total of eight persons working in the unit and three of them holding administrative positions, only five persons are available to patrol the streets.

With the quota of staff available, no wonder there can be no real curbing of the number of dog attacks or stray dogs in the country.

When the country is ready to take this issue seriously, then more of an effort will be taken to curb this problem.

Until then people will have to beware as they walk the streets.