Dog and Cat Management Board report big rise in cat attacks in South Australia Alice Dunbar, animal care attendant, with Nougat at the Animal Welfare League in Wingfield. THEY are usually fluffy balls of fun but it seems the family cat can revert to a wild beast and inflict serious injuries to the people who love them most. In the financial year, cats have caused injuries to 84 people who required admission to hospital for treatment, according to the Dog and Cat Management Board annual report. From tiny babies to octogenarians, the victims of cat attacks in that period spent from 38 days to two days in hospital. But it was South Australians aged between 50 and 74 (39 people) who were attacked the most, sometimes resulting in serious infections that require specialised medical treatment. Three babies or toddlers (0-4 years) had a hospital stay because of a cat attack, but no children aged 5-9 did. Ten victims were aged 50-54 and 10 others were 60-64. Eleven people aged 80 or more, were hospitalised after a feline attack. A typical cat bite is usually on the hand or wrist and will puncture the skin because of the animals sharp teeth. But Royal Adelaide Hospital Director Critical Care Services Associate Professor Geoff Hughes said both cat bites and scratches could become infected. "While exact figures are uncertain, approximately 16 per cent of the patients (attacked by cats) who come to an emergency department may have an infection," he said. Some infections, if severe, may need hospital treatment. There is also a condition called cat-scratch disease or fever which is mostly seen in children. This causes a minor rash and lymph gland swelling for one to four months but it usually resolves without complication. Some international studies have suggested it's more linked to kittens and kittens with fleas. The number of cat attacks in SA causing serious harm jumped from 63 from the previous 12 months and 55 in both of the two preceding years. Dog attacks resulting in admissions to hospital - mostly bites causing bruising, puncture wounds or lacerations - rose by five to 235, with victims spending an average of 2.3 days in care. Animal Welfare League communications officer Jade Ellis said cats adopted from the shelter were profiled to ensure their personalities fitted their new family to prevent any attacks. "The AWL stresses the importance of selecting the right temperament cat to suit your own and your families personalities and lifestyle to ensure harmony within your home," she said. We always treat them carefully to prevent them feeling threatened and needing to lash out. The number of dog attacks reported to councils last year was 1320, down 34 on the previous year. Children were the most common victims. Information for the report was collected by the Department for Health and Ageing.