Decline in hospitalisations due to dog bite injuries in Catalonia, 1997–2008. An effect of government regulation?

• Published in: Injury prevention Vol. 16; no. 6; pp. 408 - 410
• Main Authors: Villalbí, Joan R, Cleries, Montse, Bouis, Susana, Peracho, Víctor, Duran, Julia, Casas, Conrad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.12.2010; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Animal bites; Animals; Animals, Domestic; Bites and Stings - classification; Bites and Stings - epidemiology; dog bites; Dogs; Emergency Service, Hospital; epidemiology; evaluation; Female; government; Government Regulation; Government regulations; Health services; hospitalisation; Hospitalization; Hospitalization - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Information systems; Injuries; Injury; legislation; Male; Media coverage; Public Health; Regulation; Spain - epidemiology; Urban areas; Wounds and Injuries - classification; Wounds and Injuries - epidemiology; Spain; Spain, Catalonia
• ISSN: 1353-8047; 1475-5785
• DOI: 10.1136/ip.2010.026997

ObjectiveTo analyse population-based data on hospitalisation caused by dog bite injuries after changes in legal regulations on dog ownership, including breed-specific regulations.DesignDescriptive study.SettingHospitals in Catalonia (Spain), 1997–2008.SubjectsPersons hospitalised with injuries caused by dog bites.ResultsThere has been a significant decline in hospitalisation caused by injuries from dog bites from 1.80/100 000 in 1997–9 to 1.11/100 000 in 2006–8, after the enactment of stricter regulations on dog ownership in 1999 and 2002. The magnitude of this change is significant (−38%), and has been greatest in less urban settings.ConclusionsGovernment regulations were associated with a sizable decrease in injuries caused by dog bites in Catalonia. More evaluative studies in this field may provide criteria to focus future regulations and other preventive interventions.