One in five dog owners injured out on walkies

THE seemingly harmless task of taking the dog for a walk can be an injury waiting to happen for unprepared owners, according to new research.

For a study has found that more than one million owners have been injured while going walkies with their cherished pet.

Statistics produced by researchers OnePoll, following a study of 3,000 dog owners, show one in five of the nation's pooches have unintentionally helped land their masters with twisted ankles, sprained wrists, pulled muscles or scratched arms.

A spokesman said: "Heading out for a walk without the right equipment or walking the dog on rough terrain can be dangerous. We found a number of owners have suffered sore muscles after stretching to keep hold of the dog. And a similar number have received burns from the lead when their dog has yanked them."

But professionals yesterday said better preparation by owners and training for dogs could avoid mishaps.

Ian Malcomson, from the Sornum Cattery and Kennels near Inverness, said: "We handle hundreds and hundreds of different dogs throughout the year, ranging from the smallest to the massive, and we cope with them. If you have the appropriate equipment and you are wary of dogs you don't know, a lot of these accidents can be minimised."

Valerie Burns, who runs the Glasgow Dog Training Club, said basic training works: "You have to have the time and patience teaching your dog to walk beside you rather than pulling ahead.

"You cannot ever guarantee against tripping and falling when you are out with your dog as that can happen with or without a dog. But pulling in the lead needs basic training and it's amazing the number of people you see being dragged along the road, but they are not interested in taking their dogs to classes."