Written by Sam Mortimer, edited for online by Tegan Atkins

A desexed dog is less likely to bite and attack than a dog still with its bits.

In fact a new report claimed the risk of dog bites decreased by up to nine times if a pet was desexed, a report said.

The report was released by University of South Australian researcher Katina D’Onise today.

Miss D’Onise told The Advertiser two per-cent of people were attacked by a dog every year in South Australia and the numbers were rising.

From 2014 to 2015 there were 299 people admitted to South Australian hospitals because of dog bites, up from 193 five years ago.

“Dog bites can lead to physical injury that leads to people seeking medical attention… (and) there are psychological impacts in the long term,” Miss D’Onise said.

The report came as a draft Bill was put forward in the South Australian Parliament to mandate desexing of dogs and cats in the state in the future.

Across Australia preparations were underway to launch an RSPCA campaign to reduce the overpopulation of domestic animals.

The campaign, Operation Wanted, is a program pledged to reduce the cost of desexing by 20 per-cent at 150 vets across Queensland.

The RSPCA’s Michael Beatty said the statistics spoke for themselves.

“We’re re-homing more animals than ever before but sadly their shelters are still ending up full which is very frustrating because you’re basically going round in a circle. I mean there’s massive pet overpopulation there’s no doubt about that,” Michael Beatty said.

The RSPCA said desexing a pet reduced the chance of unplanned and unwanted litters, and a lesser chance of these pups and kittens ending up on the street, in shelters, at the pound, or worse.

At Vet Love Surgery in Ashgrove Dr Geoff Wilson said although desexing was often done at an early stage time didn’t matter.

He said the operation could also have a calming effect on the animals.

“At least a couple times a year we get dog bites associated with uncastrated males and aggressive,” Mr Wilson said.

“That’s twice a year too many so it’s always better to keep your animal in a domestic situation.”

Dr Wilson approved the push for mandatory pet desexing in South Australia.

“It would force dog breeders to get more paperwork and basically get more accountable for the dogs they’re not desexing,” Dr Wilson said.

Miss D’Onise hoped the report would push Parliament to mandate desexing of dogs and cats in the South Australia in the state in the future.