Ricky L Langley1. 1. Division of Public Health, Raleigh, NC 27699-1912, USA. rick.langley@ncmail.net
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Dog attacks are a major public health concern worldwide. Dogs bite over 4 million people resulting in the hospitalization of 6000 to 13,000 people each year in the United States. Rarely deaths may occur after an attack. METHODS: This study utilized the compressed mortality files from CDC WONDER to evaluate deaths from dog attacks over the 27-year period 1979-2005. RESULTS: An average of approximately 19 deaths was reported annually from dog attacks during this time period. Males and children less than 10 years of age had the highest rate of death from dog attacks. Deaths have been reported in 49 states with Alaska reporting the highest death rate from dog attacks. The number of deaths and death rate from dog attacks appear to be increasing. CONCLUSIONS: Deaths from dog attacks appear to be increasing as the population of both humans and dogs has increased during this time period. Children have the greatest risk of death. There is a need for a national reporting system on dog bites to fully capture the extent of fatalities and look at risk factors surrounding the attack. The development of effective prevention practices is dependent upon examination of these risk factors.
INTRODUCTION:Dog attacks are a major public health concern worldwide. Dogs bite over 4 million people resulting in the hospitalization of 6000 to 13,000 people each year in the United States. Rarely deaths may occur after an attack. METHODS: This study utilized the compressed mortality files from CDC WONDER to evaluate deaths from dog attacks over the 27-year period 1979-2005. RESULTS: An average of approximately 19 deaths was reported annually from dog attacks during this time period. Males and children less than 10 years of age had the highest rate of death from dog attacks. Deaths have been reported in 49 states with Alaska reporting the highest death rate from dog attacks. The number of deaths and death rate from dog attacks appear to be increasing. CONCLUSIONS:Deaths from dog attacks appear to be increasing as the population of both humans and dogs has increased during this time period. Children have the greatest risk of death. There is a need for a national reporting system on dog bites to fully capture the extent of fatalities and look at risk factors surrounding the attack. The development of effective prevention practices is dependent upon examination of these risk factors.
Authors: Anas Khan; Waad H Al-Kathiri; Bander Balkhi; Osama Samrkandi; Mohammed S Al-Khalifa; Yousef Asiri Journal: Saudi Pharm J Date: 2020-07-09 Impact factor: 4.330
Authors: John S P Tulloch; Simon Minford; Vicky Pimblett; Matt Rotheram; Robert M Christley; Carri Westgarth Journal: BMJ Paediatr Open Date: 2021-04-02
Authors: Lori R Kogan; Wendy Packman; Phyllis Erdman; Jennifer Currin-McCulloch; Cori Bussolari Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-08-16 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Martin J Downes; Rachel S Dean; Jenny H Stavisky; Vicki J Adams; Douglas J C Grindlay; Marnie L Brennan Journal: BMC Vet Res Date: 2013-06-19 Impact factor: 2.741
Authors: Petra Eretová; Helena Chaloupková; Marcela Hefferová; Eva Jozífková Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-01-13 Impact factor: 3.390