New Zealanders are now 8 times most likely to be hospitalised from a dog bite injury than they were 40 years back.
The increase is highlighted in research study by Dr Natasha Duncan-Sutherland, an emergency situation physician with over ten years’ experience.
In her time in A&E, she’s dealt with lots of dog attack victims.
“Dogs have an incredibly powerful jaw, especially larger dogs. It doesn’t just puncture the skin; it can also cause fractures. It can break a skull. It can kill a person.”
Dr Duncan-Sutherland has actually led 6 research studies on the concern.
“Seeing people coming into the emergency departments being attacked by dogs. it made me realise that there was an issue.
“There are nearly 24,000 dog related injuries per year now,” she said. “It’s frustrating that it continues to happen.”
The variety of signed up dogs in New Zealand continues to increase, however Dr Duncan-Sutherland says the research study doesn’t reveal a connection in between dog ownership numbers and the increase in dog attacks in time.
However, yard breeding might play a part, she said.
“Local councils believe that there are a a great deal of unregistered dogs. But we’re not able to measure that so we merely don’t understand.”
The specific factors for the boost in dog attacks are still uncertain, however there’s clear proof of who’s most at danger.
“Children are particularly vulnerable. They also were more likely to be bitten in the head and the neck and face area just because of their size.”
On typical 170 kids each year are hospitalised due to dog attacks and Dr Duncan-Sutherland said it’s an undesirable number.
“When children come in with dog attack, you realise that there’s the physical injury, but there’s an emotional component to it, too. The trauma to children can be lifelong.”
She said policy makers require to tighten up leash laws to reduce danger in public, and medical professionals require to alert councils when they treat dog attack victims.
“Absolutely, owners are responsible for their dogs. The other level of responsibility involves health professionals, vets, the council, the government at a systemic level to create an environment in which injury is least likely to occur.”
Uncontrolled dogs
Auckland animal control officer Vaea Te’o said there are more roaming dogs than ever.
“There has actually been a great deal of aspects that enter into it I believe. Auckland population (has actually) grown itself and throughout Covid individuals purchased dogs and after that understood they didn’t have time for them. Also yard breeding is a concern.”
In the previous year, Auckland Council has actually received 11,000 reports of roaming dogs. It’s a 40% boost on in 2015’s numbers.
Under Aotearoa’s Dog Control Act, owners should keep their dog under control at all times, even when at home. If a dog is discovered roaming, it can be taken and taken by control officers.
“Roaming dogs do have potential to cause accidents on the road or bite people,” said Te’o.
“People are sort of relaxed around roaming dogs and then that is an issue itself. Owners believe their dogs wont bite or be aggressive.”
Te’o said there is no such thing as a bad dog.
“It’s never the dog’s fault. It’s always the owners. It’s their responsibility to confine their dogs and keep them on their property.”
