The following report summarises information on injury resulting from dog bites in Tasmania. Data was sourced from hospital admitted cases for the years 1990 to 1998 and a non-representative sample of Accident and Emergency Department presentations for a similar period. Countless more bites go unreported and untreated and a proportion will be attended to by a GP or other para medical.


Who’s being bitten and where do most incidents occur?





Most dog bites occur in the home

Contrary to popular belief, the majority of dog bites are not the result of stray or uncontrolled dogs. The available evidence suggests that the most common location is the family home and the most likely culprit is the family pet. Unfortunately, children, especially those aged less than 5 years, are most at risk of being bitten by dogs.

Briefly, from the available data sources, the following patterns were observed:
 

• Over the period 1990 to 1998 there were on average around 22 people, for a total of 202 cases, admitted to hospital each year as a result of a dog bite. This equates to around 5 serious dog bite injuries per 100,000 people in Tasmania each year.
• An investigation of a sample of Accident and Emergency Department presentations for the same period found another 450 cases of which most were treated in the casualty section but not admitted to hospital.
• Males (58%) are almost one and half times more likely to be bitten than females (42%).
   

Young children are most at risk from dog bites
 

• Children less than 5 years of age are most at risk of being hospitalised accounting for 41% of all dog bite admissions, and overall around 68% of all dog bites occurred to kids less than 15 years of age.
• Information about the place of occurrence indicated the following:
  • 52% of incidents occurred in an unspecified place;
  • 35% of cases occurred in the home;
  • 7% of occurred in a range of places such as streets or highways, places of recreation and other properties.

The responsible dog owner

As a dog owner you have a number of obligations and responsibilities. Under the Domestic (feral and nuisance) Animals Act 1994 all dog owners must:

• Register the dog with the local council;
• Ensure the dog is unable to escape from their yard;
• Take responsibility for any damage the dog causes;
• Leash the dog when in public places;

Some DO’S and DON’TS to prevent dog bites
 

• DON’T put your dog in a position where it feels threatened or teased;
• DO train your dog and at the very least make sure your dog understands and obeys the basic commands of "sit", "stay", "no" and "come";
• DON’T use physical punishment for inappropriate behaviour;
• DO discourage people, especially children, from petting your dog in streets or parks;
• DON’T approach stray dogs;
• DO learn to read your dog’s body language;
• DON’T play aggressive or tug-of-war games with your dog;
• DO, if a dog approaches you, stand still with your hands at your sides and feet together and remain still and quiet;
• DON’T stare at a dog (avoid eye contact).

Remember, kind treatment of your dog, consistent training and plenty of exercise will result in a well adjusted and happy pet.