Shanghai hospitals see dog bites soar

A hospital in Shanghai's Pudong New Area that treats dog bites is dealing with around 70 cases a day at the moment — up 30 percent on earlier this year.

Punan Hospital says it is dealing with 60 to 70 patients a day, rising to 90 a day at peak times.

Overall, the three hospitals in Pudong that treat bites have been seeing around 130 cases a day this summer.

And this is set to rise with the increase in temperatures this week, doctors said.

A combination of pets becoming short-tempered in the heat and more people outdoors wearing less clothing explains this, they said.

"Most patients are bitten by their own pet, which may become irritable in hot days," said Yin Zhifa, an official at Punan Hospital.

"Anyone bitten or injured by a dog must seek medical advice," added Yin.