Epidemiology of dog bites: A Belgian experience of canine behaviour and public health concerns
Introduction
Following a series of fatal dog bite accidents involving children and the ensuing public preoccupation about the risk of dangerous dogs, the Belgian Government established a Multidisciplinary Task Force to study the development of a combined medical and veterinary approach towards dog bite prevention. The group was chaired by a behavioural veterinarian and included representatives from hospital emergency services, paediatricians, plastic surgeons, psychiatrists, epidemiologists and veterinarians. One of the main conclusions of the Task Force was the need to collect more data on dog bites in Belgium. A survey was, therefore, initiated by the national paediatricians organisation, the Children’s University Hospital in Brussels and the veterinary profession (Kahn et al., 2003, Kahn et al., 2004, Peters et al., 2004).
This paper summarises the results of this survey on prevalence, characteristics and consequences of dog bites on children in Belgium. We conclude with a brief description of initiatives undertaken to encourage a safer relationship between children and dogs.
Section snippets
Prevalence of dog bites in children
The prevalence of non-medically attended dog bite incidents in children has not been specifically evaluated. In the literature, dog bite frequencies have been estimated at between 9 and 18 per 1000 subjects (Kahn et al., 2003, Overall and Love, 2001, Sacks et al., 1996). These figures include both adults and children. As children are at least 3–5 times more likely to experience dog bites than adults (Overall and Love, 2001, Sacks et al., 1996), it would be expected that the prevalence of dog
The characteristics of dog bites in children
To evaluate a strategy for the prevention of dog bite accidents to children, data were collected on the characteristics of the accidents, with a description of both the dog and the human victim.
The psychological consequences of dog bites on children
Child victims of dog bites often require medical attention, but psychological support is rarely offered (Overall and Love, 2001, Kahn et al., 2003). As post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may develop following a stressful event (Anon., 2000, Terr, 1991), a study was conducted to evaluate whether following a dog attack children develop a post-traumatic stress disorder.
Local prevention programmes based on the studies
In order to favour the development of primary measures and to prevent the bites from occurring, several private initiatives have been undertaken in Belgium. These types of initiatives may be applicable to the same concerns in other countries.
A Multidisciplinary Contact Group has been in place since 2002. Coordinated by a veterinarian, the group is formed of specialists from various human and animal health disciplines, such as behavioural veterinarians, human psychiatrists, intensive care
Conclusions
These studies – focusing on three different aspects of concerns pertaining to dog bites in Belgium – have led to three main conclusions. First, that dog bites directed at children represent a significant public health issue. With its prevalence of 22 incidents per 1000 children <15 years of age each year, the incidence of dog bites lies between that of domestic accidents and road-traffic accidents involving children. Dog bites represent a significant part of avoidable accidents in children.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank E. Dhont, S. Gozlan, P. Janssens, D. Nolens, J. Lamoureux, J. Dehasse and R. De Meester for their valued cooperation. Special gratitude goes to the late Professor A. Kahn, and also to Dr. P. Bauche, Le Groupement Belge des Pédiatres de Langue Française and the nurses and staff from the hospitals who conducted the dog bite studies. Thanks to Jon Bowen for the language support.
References (15)
- et al.
Post-traumatic stress disorder following dog bites in children
Journal of Pediatrics
(2004) - American Veterinary Medical Association, 2001. A community approach to dog bite prevention. Journal of the American...
- Anon, 2000. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR, fourth ed. American Psychiatric...
- Kahn A, Bauche P, Lamoureux J and the Members of the Dog Bites Research Team, 2003. Child victims of dog bites treated...
- et al.
Prevalence of dog bites in children. A telephone survey
European Journal of Pediatrics
(2004) - Kern L. 1999. Mémoire de diplôme de vétérinaire comportementaliste des Ecoles Vétérinaires Françaises. Juin 1999, copy...
- et al.
How anticipating relationships between dogs and children can help prevent disasters
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
(2001)
Cited by (140)
The Relationship Between Aggression and Physical Disease in Dogs
2024, Veterinary Clinics of North America - Small Animal PracticeOpinions of veterinarians in Turkey on aggression levels of various dog breeds and breed-specific legislation
2023, Journal of Veterinary BehaviorMedico-legal implications of dog bite injuries: A systematic review
2023, Forensic Science InternationalDog bites in Portugal: Analysis of incidents, and consequences for both people and dogs
2022, Journal of Veterinary BehaviorEarly Childhood (0 to 5 years) Presents the Greatest Risk for Facial Dog Bites
2022, Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- †
Died 2004.