more serious when the dog is known
Curiously, the dog bites in France “represent a public health problem yet little investigated,” says the Institute of Health Surveillance (INVS). A study conducted in France in 2009/2010, however, says more about their severity. It shows a constant bites are more serious when the victim knows the dog … Few figures are available regarding the incidence of dog bites in France. InVS have identified 33 deaths over the past 20 years. Two thirds (21) have involved less than 15 years. And 16 young victims were under 5 years. The bites are also responsible for “many thousands of emergency room use” and “numerous hospitalizations, with a peak in summer.” Work performed between May 2009 and June 2010 with emergency services 8 French hospitals, however, allowed to establish in more detail the circumstances of bites and their severity. It appears that “they were more numerous and more serious when the victim knew the dog biting,” said InVS. “In adults, bites occur most often when the victim tries to separate two fighting dogs. While in children, they occur more when the animal is annoyed. “ The aftermath – aesthetic, four out of five – are “common”.Contrary to previous work done abroad, it seems that “women have reported a greater number of bites than men and children.” In contrast, no association was found between the severity of the bite and breed of dog involved. Finally, note that other work is underway to analyze the consequences and disadvantages depending on the severity of the initial bite. The results should be published during 2012.
