Elsevier

The Veterinary Journal

Volume 172, Issue 3, November 2006, Pages 482-487
The Veterinary Journal

Epidemiology of dog bites: A Belgian experience of canine behaviour and public health concerns

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2005.04.024Get rights and content

Abstract

This paper reviews three studies that have been conducted in Belgium on dog bites on children. (1) A telephone study revealed that 22/1000 children <15 years of age were victims of dog bites annually. (2) Data on the characteristics of dog bites were collected prospectively over a period of 8.5 months in six hospital emergency departments. “Dangerous dogs” were not responsible for the majority of the accidents. In 67/100, incidents documented, the bites appeared to be triggered by an interaction of the child. Education appeared to be the preventive measure with the highest priority. (3) Among 22 child victims of dog bites, 12 had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorders some seven months following the accident. Based on these local studies, several initiatives have been undertaken to favour both primary and secondary prevention measures. An appropriate psychological preventive intervention should be offered to all victims of dog bites.

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.

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