Police are urging residents to report dangerous dogs, after a teenager became the latest victim in a string of attacks.

The 17-year-old was walking along a footpath near Thetford Road, Dagenham when the dog ran from a garden and bit him.

He escaped with minor injuries and, after being treated at King George Hospital, is making a full recovery.

Barking and Dagenham Police said they will be applying for a dog destruction order.

The incident last month is one of 24 dog attacks, the majority on people, since April 1 last year.

Fourteen attacks were reported the previous year.

Wildlife officer, Sgt Ian Lee, said it is vital residents report any dangerous and out of control dogs to police, even if they have not yet attacked a person or another pet.

He said: “The weather will soon be getting warmer, which means more people out with their dogs.

“If people don’t report dangerous animals, a child could end up being seriously hurt.

“We will take any reports very seriously.”

He said owners found with dangerous dogs or banned breeds would be hit hard at court.

Previous attacks include one on January 24, when a 76-year-old disabled woman leaving her home in Tolworth Gardens, Dagenham, had her legs bitten by two dogs.

Last month the Post told how 12-year-old Dylan Pope was seriously hurt by a bull mastiff in a garden in Sheppey Road, Dagenham in October.

October also saw two separate dog attacks on postmen in Chadwell Heath and Dagenham.

One of the men was left with serious injuries and was unable to work for many weeks.

Speaking to the Post, Dylan’s mum Sophie said something has to be done to tackle irresponsible pet owners.

“This problem is bigger than most of us thought,” she said.

“More needs to be done to encourage people to look after their pets properly before someone is actually killed.”

The owner of a Japanese Akita is to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on March 11 on suspicion of owning an out of control dog after an elderly woman in Dagenham was mauled by a dog, leaving her with chest injuries last year.