Abstract
Simple SummaryDog bites can have an array of negative health impacts on human victims. Research on the correlates of bites focused on limited sets of variables and produced conflicting findings. Data were drawn from police department reports of dog bites in the city of Detroit between 2007–2015. This project expands knowledge about the correlates of dog bites by exploring a comprehensive set of variables related to the breed type of dog, the nature of its surroundings, and the circumstances surrounding the bite. The greatest risk of bites does not come from wandering feral dogs, nor is it primarily related to the nature of the victim. Based on multiple regression, the victim was most likely bitten in their own yard by a single neighborhood dog that escaped from its home or yard. Human error often contributes to bites.Background: Dog bites can have an array of negative health impacts on victims. Research focusing on the correlates of bites focused on limited sets of variables and produced conflicting findings. Objective: To expand knowledge about the correlates of dog bites by exploring a comprehensive set of variables related to the nature of the dog and the circumstances surrounding the bite not commonly explored in extant research. Methods: Data were drawn from police department reports of dog bites in the city of Detroit between 2007–2015; 478 dog bites were reported. Multiple regression was used to determine the significant correlates of dog bites, focusing on the nature of the dog and the circumstances surrounding the bite. Results: Bites were caused by a neighborhood dog. Thirty-two percent of the reports involved dogs running loose; 25% dogs that had escaped from a fenced or unfenced yard; 9% escaped from their home; and 8% had broken off a chain, were being walked, or were in their own home. Based on multiple regression, the victim was most likely bitten in their own yard by a single neighborhood dog that escaped from its home or yard. Breed of dog was not correlated with bites in multiple regression. Conclusions: The greatest risk of bites does not come from wandering feral dogs. Based on multiple regression, the victim was most likely bitten in their own yard by a single neighborhood dog that escaped from its home or yard. Human error often contributes to bites.
Highlights
Health impacts of dog bites include: rabies; infection; disfigurement, for children as they are more likely injured in the head and face; mobility issues; amputation; full or partial paralysis; death; fear of animals; fear of walking to school or in the neighborhood; reduced outdoor exercise; post-traumatic stress; and other psychological or emotional issues [1,2,3].Animals 2020, 10, 666; doi:10.3390/ani10040666 www.mdpi.com/journal/animalsAn increasing body of literature, across several disciplines, has examined the correlates of and the potential preventative measures for dog bites in humans
Are there common sets of circumstances surrounding bites, such as tethering/chaining dogs in yards, harassing a dog, or other unintentional victim behavior that can be interpreted by dogs as threatening?
Based on the significant correlations in multiple regression, the victim was most likely bitten in their own yard by a single neighborhood dog that escaped from its home or yard
Summary
Health impacts of dog bites include: rabies; infection; disfigurement, for children as they are more likely injured in the head and face; mobility issues; amputation; full or partial paralysis; death; fear of animals; fear of walking to school or in the neighborhood; reduced outdoor exercise; post-traumatic stress; and other psychological or emotional issues (depression, withdrawal, sleep disturbances, flashbacks, and phobias about dogs or other animals) [1,2,3].Animals 2020, 10, 666; doi:10.3390/ani10040666 www.mdpi.com/journal/animalsAn increasing body of literature, across several disciplines, has examined the correlates of and the potential preventative measures for dog bites in humans. This research contributes to extant knowledge about dog bites by using police department bite incident data to explore a wider set of potential explanatory variables, including the traits of the dog involved, and the broader circumstances surrounding the bite. This research focuses on dog bites as an expression of aggressive behavior that may result from fear, human interactions, health issues, or other situational factors. It does not include natural dog behavior, such as bites that occur when playing or other accidental contact.
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