Abstract
Objective To analyse population-based data on hospitalisation caused by dog bite injuries after changes in legal regulations on dog ownership, including breed-specific regulations. Design Descriptive study. Setting Hospitals in Catalonia (Spain), 1997-2008. Subjects Persons hospitalised with injuries caused by dog bites. Results There 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. Conclusions Government 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.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 408-410 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Injury Prevention |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 2010 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health