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Abstract
This comparative prospective study of mammalian bites attending one urban Accident
and Emergency department before the implementation of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
and again 2 years later, was to see the effect of the Act on the pattern of injury.
The study comprised a simple questionnaire detailing the injury, the implicated species,
and the treatment or referral if applicable. In both groups studied (before and after
implementation of the Act) 134 consecutive bites were recorded, contributing 1.2 per
cent and 1.23 per cent of total attendances during these respective periods. Dogs
were found to bite most commonly: in the pre-legislation group 73.9 per cent were
due to dog bites and in the post-legislation group 73.1 per cent. In both groups studied,
human bites occurred as the second most common mammalian bite; 17.9 per cent in the
pre-legislation group and 12.7 per cent in the post-legislation group. Human bites
were as common as those from the most implicated breed of dog. In general human bites
were found to require more active treatment and specialist referral. The study demonstrates
the vast majority of such injuries are treated within Emergency departments. This
study also shows how dangerous breeds compare with others that bite, demonstrating
that these breeds contribute to only a small proportion of these injuries. This comparative
study clearly demonstrates little impact on rate of attendances for such injuries
since the introduction of the 1991 Act. If legislation aims to reduce and prevent
injury from animal bites, in its present form it does little to protect the public;
this study suggests a wider control of the dog population may be required.
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References
- Dog bites of the face; a 15 year review.Br J Plast Surg. 1983; 36: 315
- Dogs that bite.Br Med J. 1991; 303: 15120
Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
October 24,
1995
Identification
Copyright
© 1996 Published by Elsevier Inc.