Police and domestic dog bite injuries: What are the differences? What are the implications about police dog use?

Abstract

Summary Background Despite the widespread use of police dogs, there is very little objective medical information about the injuries they cause when they bite. Our aim was to statistically describe police dog bite injuries. Methods We described police dog bite injuries by comparing them with domestic (non-police) dog bites. We retrospectively analyzed their demographic and specific injury data drawn from their medical records. The police dog bite victims came from the Los Angeles Police Department K9 Unit from 1988 to 1990. The domestic dog bite victims came from King-Drew Medical Center, an inner-city public hospital from 1989 to 1996. All of the police dog victims’ medical records that could be located were included (595 out of 957). All domestic dog bite victims that arrived for treatment were included (n = 1109). Results Police dog bite victims were usually bitten multiple times, whilst domestic bite victims were not. Police dog bite victims were bitten more often in the head, neck, chest and flank. They were hospitalised more often, underwent more operations and had more invasive diagnostic tests. Conclusions Police dog bite injuries appeared to be more serious than victims of domestic dog bite victims. The reasons for the differences were related to the types of dogs selected and their special training.