Dog bites: an unrecognized epidemic

D. Harris, P. J. Imperato, B. Oken

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

64 Scopus citations

Abstract

Beginning in 1965, the number of reported dog bites began to increase; between 1965 and 1972, the annual number increased by 37%, from 27,699 to 37,896. In order to explore some of the factors associated with dog bites, a sample of 1,869 dog bites reported to the New York City Health Department between 1965 and 1970 was selected and analyzed for each year of the period under study and in aggregate. A variety of host, agent and environmental factors such as the age and sex of the victim, the anatomic site of the bite, time of day, season, geographic area where the incident occurred and size of the dog were analyzed. A tabulation of the data is presented with conclusions about the risk factors associated with dog bites. The findings also suggest the basis for designing a program to prevent such injuries which, for a variety of reasons, are becoming an increasingly common hazard of city life.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)981-1000
Number of pages20
JournalBulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine: Journal of Urban Health
Volume50
Issue number9
StatePublished - 1974
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dog bites: an unrecognized epidemic'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this