Incorporating the AIHW National Injury Surveillance Unit
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01/04/2011
DOG BITES

DOG BITES

Injury resulting from dog bites

Date of report: 29/7/98

Authors: Renate Kreisfeld and Stan Bordeaux

The following report summarises information on injury resulting from dog bites derived from three separate sources of data:
  • Emergency department presentations
  • Hospitalisations and
  • Deaths

Emergency department data:

The following information is based on a search of our Injury Surveillance Information System (ISIS) database of presentations to hospital emergency departments.
There was a total of 7591 cases in ISIS in which injuries were coded as being the result of being bitten by a dog/s.

About ISIS:

ISIS is a national collection of hospital emergency department attendance records. Over 50 hospitals and other medical centres have provided data to the collection over the period 1986-1994. It should be stressed however that the ISIS collection does not provide a comprehensive coverage of all injuries presenting to hospitals in Australia. Nonetheless, the collection is large (over 700,000 records) and can provide a good description of the circumstances leading to specific types of injury, as well as identify less common injury occurrences. Information about injury circumstances is usually self-reported by the injured person. Additional clinical information is provided by the treating medical staff.

More information on the ISIS coding system is available here.

Disclaimer
This is a brief analysis written in response to a specific question from one of the Centre's clients. It uses available data and should not be viewed as a detailed piece of research. The Centre releases this information in the interests of ensuring that work done for one client can inform others. The report must not be quoted or cited without written permission from the Centre.
Briefly, these were some of the patterns observable from the analyses undertaken:
  • The incidents occurred most frequently in these locations: people's own home (35%); another another private home (24%); road, driveway or footpath (20%).
  • There was a greater proportion of male cases (62%) than female cases (37%).
  • The most frequently injured body regions were lower limbs (52%) and head/neck (34%).
  • Just over half of the cases required a significant level of treatment (51%). 13% resulted in admission to hospital.

The following data tables appear below:

Australian hospitalisations data, 1995/96:

During the 12-month period 1995/96, there was a total of 1405 cases of hospitalisation associated with being bitten by a dog/s.
  • Male cases were slightly more frequent than female ones.
  • The most commonly coded location for incidents of dog bites was the HOME (30%).
  • The most frequently coded injuries were open wounds: upper limb n=365; lower limb n=246 head/neck/trunk n=675 (the latter category included 128 facial injuries).
  • Overall, the mean length of stay (MLOS) in hospital was 2.6 days. The lowest MLOS was related to superficial injuries (1.0 day) and the highest to injuries of the lower limb-fractures (5.8 days) and open wounds (5.6 days).
  • The MLOS was substantially higher amongst older people (65-74 years = 5.9 days; 75+ years = 8.6 days) suggesting that the outcome of such incidents is more severe for this group.

About hospitalisations data: Hospital in-patient morbidity data are provided to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare by individual State and Territory health departments. Unit record data for all hospital in-patients are based on ICD-9-CM External Cause Code E-codes or ICD-9-CM Chapter 17 Injury and Poisoning Diagnosis codes. Data are compiled on a financial rather than calendar year basis.
The following data tables appear below:

Australian deaths data, 1979-1996:

During the period 1979-1996, a total of 11 deaths was registered in which the external causes code indicates that the person died as the result of injuries sustained when bitten by a dog. A greater proportion of these cases involved young children (36%) and older people (36%).

About deaths data: Deaths data are from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) mortality unit record data collection, 1979-93. The ABS obtains the information from coroners' records. The case of each death registered in Australia is classified by the ABS according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). The 9th revision (ICD9) has been used for death registrations beginning in 1979. All deaths given an ICD9 'External Cause' code by the ABS are included. Data are presented according to the year in which deaths were registered.
The following data tables appear below:

Link to Medical Journal of Australia:

The Research Centre for Injury Studies regularly receives requests for information about the breeds of dog involved in attacks on people. A South Australian study reported in the Medical Journal of Australia in 1997 offers some insight into this aspect of the issue. The paper entitled "The public health impact of dog attacks in a major Australian city" uses injury surveillance data on dog attacks for a major metropolitan hospital and data on community attitudes and experiences derived from a large community survey to report on differences in the representation of various dog breeds in attacks, as well as rates of dog attack by age and sex of the victim, hospital presentation and admission. The full text of this article is available here.
Dog Bites - Table of frequencies by sex

Frequency Percent Cumulative Percent

Male 4747 62.5 62.5
Female 2834 37.3 99.9
Unknown 10 .1 100.0
Total 7591 100.0
Dog Bites - Table of frequencies by age group

Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent

0-4 yrs 1780 23.4 23.4 23.4
5-9 yrs 1473 19.4 19.4 42.9
10-14 yrs 1175 15.5 15.5 58.3
15-29 yrs 1364 18.0 18.0 76.3
30-44 yrs 762 10.0 10.0 86.3
45-59 yrs 589 7.8 7.8 94.1
60-74 yrs 338 4.5 4.5 98.6
75 or more yrs 110 1.4 1.4 100.0
Total 7591 100.0 100.0
Dog Bites - Table of frequencies by primary injury sustained

Frequency Percent Cumulative Percent

 Cut, laceration 1615 21.3 21.3
Puncture 404 5.3 26.6
Bite 4999 65.9 92.5
Superficial abrasion 262 3.5 95.9
Penetrating wound 66 .9 96.8
Other wound incl amputation 26 .3 97.1
Haematoma or bruising 53 .7 97.8
Haemorrhage 3 .0 97.9
Inflammation, oedema, tenderness 33 .4 98.3
Burn (partial thickness) 2 .0 98.3
Foreign body in soft tissue 8 .1 98.4
Damage to major blood vessel 2 .0 98.4
Crushing injury 1 .0 98.5
Fracture 27 .4 98.8
Dislocation 3 .0 98.9
Sprain or strain 13 .2 99.0
Poisoning 1 .0 99.0
Injury not specified 62 .8 99.9
No injury detected 11 .1 100.0
Total 7591 100.0
Dog Bites - Table of frequencies by primary body part affected

Frequency Percent Cumulative Percent

 Not applicable 75 1.0 1.0
Eye 107 1.4 2.4
Ocular adnexum 83 1.1 3.5
Nose 181 2.4 5.9
Mouth external 519 6.8 12.7
Ear 195 2.6 15.3
Face, cheek, forehead, scalp 1323 17.4 32.7
Skull base 1 .0 32.7
Skull vault 17 .2 32.9
Neck, not elsewhere classified 34 .4 33.4
Unknown 1 .0 33.4
Other injury to head 18 .2 33.6
Scapula 5 .1 33.7
Shoulder, not elsewhere classified 35 .5 34.2
Humerus 5 .1 34.2
Upper arm, not elsewhere classified 164 2.2 36.4
Radius or ulna 11 .1 36.5
Elbow 56 .7 37.3
Forearm 557 7.3 44.6
Wrist 164 2.2 46.8
Carpal bone 5 .1 46.8
Metacarpal bone 9 .1 47.0
Upper extremity digit or phalanx 637 8.4 55.4
Hand or not elsewhere classified 885 11.7 67.0
Other injury to upper extremity 11 .1 67.2
Hip 38 .5 67.7
Femur 19 .3 67.9
Upper leg or not elsewhere classified 548 7.2 75.1
Knee 106 1.4 76.5
Tibia or fibula 23 .3 76.8
Lower leg or not elsewhere classified 1064 14.0 90.8
Ankle 166 2.2 93.0
Tarsal bone 4 .1 93.1
Metatarsal bone 2 .0 93.1
Lower extremity digit or phalanx 21 .3 93.4
Foot or not elsewhere classified 161 2.1 95.5
Other lower extremity 25 .3 95.8
Ribs 2 .0 95.9
Pelvis 4 .1 95.9
Chest or not elsewhere classified 62 .8 96.7
Abdomen or not elswhere classified 50 .7 97.4
Upper back or not elsewhere classified 42 .6 97.9
Lower back or not elsewhere classified 62 .8 98.8
Genitalia 32 .4 99.2
Other trunk injury 46 .6 99.8
Mouth internal 15 .2 100.0
Peripheral nerve 1 .0 100.0
Total 7591 100.0
Dog Bites - Table of frequencies by level of medical treatment received

Frequency Percent Cumulative Percent

 No treatment 251 3.3 3.3
Treated no referral 3456 45.5 48.8
Treated, referral to Outpatients Dept 223 2.9 51.8
Treated, referral to GP 961 12.7 64.4
Treated, other referral 41 .5 65.0
Short stay ward for observation 15 .2 65.2
Admitted 939 12.4 77.5
Transferred 39 .5 78.1
Casualty review 1666 21.9 100.0
Total 7591 100.0
Dog Bites - Table of frequencies by geographical location of the incident

Frequency Percent Cumulative Percent
Ocean or estuary 3 .0 .0
Lake or river or dam 29 .4 .4
Water slide 1 .0 .4
Public swimming pool 1 .0 .4
Factory or warehouse 16 .2 .7
Mine or quarry 3 .0 .7
Construction site 22 .3 1.0
Farm or primary production 67 .9 1.9
Other industrial 34 .4 2.3
Private enterprise 137 1.8 4.1
Government public utility 6 .1 4.2
Public road 594 7.8 12.0
Private road or driveway 76 1.0 13.0
Footpath 844 11.1 24.1
Parking area 23 .3 24.5
Other vehicle area 17 .2 24.7
Train, tram, plane, ferry, other 5 .1 24.7
Sports arena or oval or court 83 1.1 25.8
Public institution 5 .1 25.9
Private institution 10 .1 26.0
Own home kitchen 63 .8 26.9
Own home bath, laundry, toilet 23 .3 27.2
Own home living or sleeping 506 6.7 33.8
Own home garden etc 2145 28.3 62.1
Other private home kitchen 26 .3 62.4
Other private home, bath, laundry, toilet 9 .1 62.5
Other private home living or sleep 247 3.3 65.8
Other private home garden etc 1524 20.1 85.9
Residential institution 8 .1 86.0
Other, incl tent or caravan 14 .2 86.2
Child care, not playground 1 .0 86.2
Child care playground 2 .0 86.2
School, not playground 11 .1 86.4
School playground 38 .5 86.9
Other educational 3 .0 86.9
Public playground 35 .5 87.4
Private or commercial amusement area 16 .2 87.6
Camping area 14 .2 87.7
National or public park 186 2.5 90.2
Field or paddock 37 .5 90.7
Beach 40 .5 91.2
Unknown or not elsewhere specified 667 8.8 100.0
Total 7591 100.0
Dog Bites - Summary table of a random selection of 150 relevant cases (a)

Age in years Description of the incident Primary injury sustained Primary body part affected Level of medical treatment received
1 64 GETTING INTO BED AND DOG ON BED BIT HER Cut, laceration Wrist Casualty review
2 70 FEEDING DOG BITTEN BY DOG Cut, laceration Lower leg or NEC Casualty review
3 66 WALKING AROUND NEIGHBOUR,BITTEN BY A DOG Bite Lower leg or NEC Casualty review
4 38 TRYING TO BREAK UP DOG FIGHT Bite Hand or NEC Admitted
5 84 WALKING ALONG ROAD AND BITTEN BY DOG Bite Forearm Treated referral OPD
6 38 HELPING TO TRAIN A SECURITY DOG AND FOOLING AROUND WITH DOG AND WAS BITTEN Bite Hand or NEC Casualty review
7 78 TRYING TO GET BONE OFF DOG AND DOGS TOOTH CUT FINGER Cut, laceration Upper extremity digit or phalanx Casualty review
8 61 TRYING TO GET DOG OUT OF HOME BITTEN BY DOG Bite Upper extremity digit or phalanx Treated no referral
9 52 ATTACKED BY DOG Bite Lower leg or NEC Casualty review
10 54 PLAYING WITH THE DOG AND THE DOG BIT HIM Bite Hand or NEC Treated no referral
11 24 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Hand or NEC Casualty review
12 47 WALKING ON FOOTPATH WITH FRIEND,DOG ATTACKED HER AND BIT LEG Bite Tarsal bone Treated referral GP
13 26 AT BBQ BITTEN BY DOG Bite Upper extremity digit or phalanx Casualty review
14 54 BITTEN BY DOG Cut, laceration Forearm Casualty review
15 23 BITTEN THRU FENCE BY DOG Bite Upper extremity digit or phalanx Casualty review
16 70 WALKING AND DOG RAN OUT AND BIT HER Superficial abrasion Lower leg or NEC Treated no referral
17 39 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Lower leg or NEC Treated no referral
18 47 PATIENT BITTEN BY DOG Bite Lower leg or NEC Casualty review
19 48 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Upper extremity digit or phalanx Casualty review
20 26 PLAYING WITH DOG BITTEN ON LIP Cut, laceration Mouth external Treated referral OPD
21 20 BITTEN BY CATTLE DOG OWNED BY FRIENDS NEIGHBOUR Bite Upper arm, NEC Casualty review
22 24 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Lower extremity digit or phalanx Treated no referral
23 27 PLAYING WITH CAT BITTEN BY DOG Bite Foot or NEC Casualty review
24 27 BREAKING UP DOG FIGHT BITTEN BY DOG-BORDER COLLIE Puncture Forearm Casualty review
25 22 AT PARTY BITTEN BY DOG Bite Nose Treated no referral
26 22 GETTING OUT OF CAR BITTEN BY DOG Bite Upper leg or NEC Casualty review
27 64 BITTEN BY DOG Cut, laceration Lower leg or NEC Treated no referral
28 32 TRYING TO BREAK UP DOG FIGHT AND WAS BITTEN BY DOG Puncture Upper leg or NEC Treated no referral
29 82 DOG BIT HIM ON THE LEG Bite Lower leg or NEC Casualty review
30 65 VICTIM TRYING TO SEPARATE OWN DOGS FROM FIGHTING, BITTEN BY DOG Bite Hand or NEC Treated no referral
31 23 VICTIM BITTEN BY FRIEND'S DOG WHILE TRYING TO PUSH IT AWAY FROM HIS OWN DOG Bite Hand or NEC Casualty review
32 23 BITTEN BY DOG Cut, laceration Upper leg or NEC Casualty review
33 40 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Upper leg or NEC Treated no referral
34 48 FIXING CAR AND STARTLED DOG AND DOG BIT HIM Bite Lower leg or NEC Casualty review
35 40 ATTACKED BY DOG WHILST WALKING TO SHOPS Bite Lower leg or NEC Admitted
36 58 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Abdomen or NEC Treated no referral
37 60 SEPARATING TWO FIGHTING DOGS AND WAS BITTEN Bite Upper extremity digit or phalanx Casualty review
38 32 STOPPING DOG FIGHT BITTEN BY DOG Bite Hand or NEC Treated no referral
39 77 DOG JUMPED FENCE AND BIT VICTIM Puncture Upper leg or NEC Treated no referral
40 19 WALKING INTO NEIGHBOURS YARD AND WAS ATTACKED BY A DOG Puncture Upper leg or NEC Treated no referral
41 22 DOG BIT HIM Bite Forearm Casualty review
42 58 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Lower leg or NEC Treated referral GP
43 18 BREAKING UP DOGFIGHT BITTEN BY DOG Injury not specified 0 No treatment
44 22 PATTING DOG BITTEN BY DOG Bite Mouth external Casualty review
45 15 WALKING IN PARK AT 1.00 A.M. & WAS BITTEN BY A DOG Puncture Forearm Casualty review
46 42 COLLECTING WORK MATERIAL BITTEN BY DOG Bite Forearm Treated no referral
47 23 PLAYING ON SWINGS BITTEN BY DOG Bite Hip Treated no referral
48 19 PLAYING WITH DOG AND DOG BIT HIM Bite Hand or NEC Treated no referral
49 34 INJURED WHILE TRYING TO BREAK UP A DOG FIGHT Cut, laceration Upper extremity digit or phalanx Casualty review
50 74 BREAKING UP 2 FIGHTING DOGS BITTEN BY DOG Cut, laceration Upper extremity digit or phalanx Casualty review
51 28 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Hip Treated no referral
52 25 ANNOYING DOG BITTEN BY DOG Bite Ear Admitted
53 46 VICTIM BITTEN BY DOG - UNPROVOKED ATTACK Bite Ankle Treated no referral
54 53 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Lower leg or NEC Treated no referral
55 13 PLAYING AND BITTEN BY DOG Bite Upper leg or NEC Treated no referral
56 63 TRIPPED OVER DOG AND DOG BIT HER HAND Bite Upper extremity digit or phalanx Treated no referral
57 60 BITTEN BY UNKNOWN DOG Bite Upper extremity digit or phalanx Casualty review
58 25 TRYING TO ARREST A MAN AND HIS DOG BIT THE VICTIM Bite Lower leg or NEC Casualty review
59 45 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Forearm Casualty review
60 32 VICTIM PICKED UP DOG IN CAR YARD, DOG BIT VICTIM ON FACE Cut, laceration Face cheek forehead scalp Casualty review
61 18 VICTIM BITTEN BY DOG Bite Chest or NEC Treated no referral
62 28 TALKING TO THE OWNER OF A DOBERMAN DOG WHEN DOG ATTACKED BITING HIM ON LEG Puncture Upper leg or NEC Treated referral GP
63 2 CHILD WAS PLAYING WITH PIG DOG,DOG GOT STIRRED UP AND CHILD WAS BITTEN Bite Ear Treated no referral
64 52 TRIED TO BREAK UP A DOG FIGHT AND WAS BITTEN BY A DOG Cut, laceration Hand or NEC Treated referral GP
65 15 WALKING ALONG FOOTPATH & WAS BITTEN BY A DOG Puncture Upper leg or NEC Treated referral GP
66 41 IN YARD AT UNIT BLOCK & WAS BITTEN BY A DOG Puncture Lower leg or NEC Treated no referral
67 35 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Upper extremity digit or phalanx Casualty review
68 60 ATTACKED BY DOG Bite Lower back or NEC Treated no referral
69 24 WALKING THROUGH GATE AND WAS BITTEN BY DOG Bite Upper leg or NEC Treated no referral
70 25 BREAKING UP A DOG FIGHT AND WAS BITTEN Bite Lower leg or NEC Treated no referral
71 18 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Lower leg or NEC Treated no referral
72 14 PLAYING IN BACKYARD AND DOG ATTACKED AND BIT HIM Bite Chest or NEC Casualty review
73 20 ON WAY TO COLLEGE & WAS BITTEN BY A DOG Cut, laceration Lower leg or NEC Treated no referral
74 23 GETTING OUT OF CAR BITTEN BY DOG Bite Forearm Casualty review
75 20 TRYING TO SEPERATE TWO FIGHTING DOGS AND WAS BITTEN Puncture Forearm Treated no referral
76 13 HELPING INJURED DOG BITTEN BY DOG Puncture Upper extremity digit or phalanx Casualty review
77 23 TRYING TO STOP A DOG BITING AND WAS BITTEN HIMSELF Cut, laceration Ocular adnexum Casualty review
78 30 HELPING DOG THAT HAD BEEN HIT BY CAR DOG BIT VICITM Penetrating wound Wrist Admitted
79 80 STOPPING DOG FROM BARKING BITTEN BY DOG Bite Hand or NEC Treated no referral
80 41 WAITING FOR BUS BITTEN BY DOG Superficial abrasion Upper arm, NEC Treated no referral
81 29 BITTEN BY DOG Puncture Wrist Casualty review
82 53 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Hand or NEC Casualty review
83 26 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Hip Treated no referral
84 38 WENT TO FREE DOG TRAPPED IN FENCE DOG WAS DISTRESSED AND BIT HER Cut, laceration Hand or NEC Treated no referral
85 34 PLAYING WITH DOG AND WAS BITTEN Superficial abrasion Upper extremity digit or phalanx Treated no referral
86 36 BITTEN BY A DOG Puncture Lower leg or NEC Treated no referral
87 27 BITTEN BY DOG Haematoma or bruising Wrist Admitted
88 27 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Forearm Casualty review
89 27 PLAYING WITH DOG BITTEN BY DOG Bite Forearm Casualty review
90 31 COLLECTING FOR BLUE NURSES AND BITTEN BY DOG Bite Lower leg or NEC Treated no referral
91 27 TRYING TO BREAK UP A DOG FIGHT AND WAS BITTEN Cut, laceration Lower leg or NEC Casualty review
92 14 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Face cheek forehead scalp Admitted
93 24 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Lower leg or NEC Casualty review
94 42 BITTEN BY MAD DOG Bite Ankle Treated no referral
95 29 BITTEN ON FACE BY DOG Cut, laceration Mouth external Casualty review
96 56 TRIED TO SEPARATE FIGHTING DOGS BITTEN BY DOG Bite Hand or NEC Casualty review
97 61 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Lower leg or NEC Casualty review
98 6 CHILD-BITTEN BY DOG Bite Lower leg or NEC Treated referral GP
99 23 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Lower leg or NEC Treated no referral
100 15 SELLING LOLLIES FOUR DOGS JUMPED ON PATIENT BITTEN BY ONE DOG Bite Upper leg or NEC Treated no referral
101 17 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Upper leg or NEC Casualty review
102 49 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Upper leg or NEC Treated no referral
103 17 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Lower leg or NEC Casualty review
104 25 JOGGING BITTEN BY DOG Cut, laceration Upper extremity digit or phalanx Treated no referral
105 18 CROSSING ROAD BITTEN BY DOG Bite Upper leg or NEC Treated no referral
106 71 BITTEN BY DOG Injury not specified 0 No treatment
107 55 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Lower leg or NEC Treated referral OPD
108 20 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Foot or NEC No treatment
109 42 BITTEN BY DOG Superficial abrasion Lower leg or NEC Treated no referral
110 19 PATTING DOG BITTEN BY DOG Bite Mouth external Treated no referral
111 17 GARDENING AND ATTACKED BY A DOG Penetrating wound Ankle Treated no referral
112 43 DELIVERING FLYERS AND DOG BIT HIS THIGH Bite Upper leg or NEC Casualty review
113 43 READING METERS AND BITTEN BY A DOG Cut, laceration Upper leg or NEC Treated no referral
114 25 ASSISTING FRIEND AND ATTACKED BY STRAY DOG Cut, laceration Upper extremity digit or phalanx Treated no referral
115 39 BITTEN BY DOG Cut, laceration Lower leg or NEC Treated no referral
116 39 LETTING DOGS OUT OF KENNELS BITTEN BY DOG Puncture Chest or NEC Casualty review
117 28 JOGGING BITTEN BY DOG Bite Upper leg or NEC Treated no referral
118 62 BITTEN BY DOG Cut, laceration Hand or NEC Casualty review
119 26 MBA BLUE HEELER DOG RAN OUT AND BIT FRONT OF FOOT Bite Foot or NEC Casualty review
120 16 BITTEN BY DOG Superficial abrasion Ankle Treated no referral
121 45 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Upper extremity digit or phalanx Treated no referral
122 25 BREAKING UP A DOG FIGHT AND WAS BITTEN BY A DOG Bite Upper leg or NEC Treated no referral
123 16 DOG RACED OUT AND BIT HIM Bite Chest or NEC Treated no referral
124 72 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Hand or NEC Treated no referral
125 26 REPREMANDING DOG AND DOG BIT HER Bite Upper extremity digit or phalanx Treated no referral
126 23 PLAYING WITH DOG AND DOG BIT HIM WHEN TRYING TO GRAB A STICK Puncture Upper leg or NEC Treated no referral
127 18 TRYING TO STOP DOGS FIGHTING AND DOG TURNED ON HIM Puncture Wrist Casualty review
128 45 PLAYING WITH DOG BITTEN BY DOG Puncture Knee Treated no referral
129 61 CHECKING WHAT THE DOG WAS EATING AND BITTEN BY DOG Puncture Hand or NEC Casualty review
130 21 PLAYING WITH DOG AND IT TOOK A FRIENDLY BITE AT HIS LEG Bite Upper leg or NEC Treated no referral
131 50 WALKING IN DRIVEWAY AND BITTEN BY A DOG Penetrating wound Upper leg or NEC Treated no referral
132 60 SITTING BY POOL AND DOG BIT HIM Bite Ear Treated no referral
133 61 LIFTING UP DOG AFTER IT HAD BEEN BITTEN BY OTHER DOG AND IT BIT HER Bite Face cheek forehead scalp Treated no referral
134 59 COLLECTING MONEY AND BITTEN BY A DOG Bite Ankle Casualty review
135 47 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Upper leg or NEC Treated other referral
136 26 PATTING DOG AND DOG BIT HIM Cut, laceration Wrist Casualty review
137 27 PATTING DOG AND BITTEN ON HAND Bite Wrist Casualty review
138 40 BITTEN BY DOG ON BOTH HANDS Bite Upper extremity digit or phalanx Casualty review
139 47 PLAYING WITH DOG & DOG BIT HER Inflammation oedema tenderness Forearm Treated no referral
140 35 BITTEN BY DOG Puncture Lower leg or NEC Treated referral GP
141 7 RIDING SKATEBOARD BITTEN BY DOG Bite Upper leg or NEC Treated no referral
142 13 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Other trunk injury Treated no referral
143 26 PLAYING WITH DOG AND KICKING A BALL AND DOG GRABBED BALL AND BIT HIS FOOT Cut, laceration Foot or NEC Casualty review
144 33 WALKING THE DOG,DOG GOT INTO A FIGHT & HE WAS BITTEN ON THE LEG Cut, laceration Lower leg or NEC Casualty review
145 50 PLAYING WITH BULL TERRIER AND HE WAS BITTEN Cut, laceration Hand or NEC Treated referral GP
146 19 DOGS FIGHTING AND BITTEN BY DOG Puncture Hand or NEC Casualty review
147 25 BITTEN BY DOG Bite Femur Casualty review
148 48 BITTEN BY A DOG Bite Lower leg or NEC Treated referral GP
149 43 JOGGING AND BITTEN BY A DOG Bite Lower leg or NEC Treated no referral
150 14 DELIVERING LEAFLETS AND BITTEN BY DOG WHILE RIDING Puncture Ankle Casualty review

 N 150 150


a Limited to first 150 cases.    NEC = Not elsewhere classified.
Dog Bites - Frequency of hospitalisations by sex

FrequencyPercent
Male79556.6
Female61043.4
Total 1405 100.0
Dog Bites - Frequency of hospitalisations by geographical location of the incident

FrequencyPercent
Home40428.8
Farm141.0
Industrial place10.7
Place of recreation/sport8.6
Street/highway443.1
Public bldg9.6
Residential institution2.1
Other specified332.3
Unspecified place81658.1
Total134095.4
Unknown location654.6
TOTAL:1405100.0
Dog Bites - Frequency of hospitalisations by age group

Frequency Percent Cumulative Percent
0-4 384 27.3 27.3
5-9 222 15.8 43.1
10-14 99 7.0 50.2
15-24 122 8.7 58.9
25-34 144 10.2 69.1
35-54 229 16.3 85.4
55-64 70 5.0 90.4
65-74 84 6.0 96.4
75 + 51 3.6 100.0
Total 1405 100.0
Dog Bites - Frequency of hospitalisations by type of injury

Frequency Percent
Fracture of skull 6 .4
Fracture of neck & Trunk 1 .1
Fracture of upper limb 55 3.9
Fracture of lower limb 4 .3
Sprains & strains 2 .1
Open wound, head/neck/trunk 675 48.0
Open wound, upper limb 365 26.0
Open wound, lower limb 246 17.5
Injury To blood vessels 1 .1
Superficial injury 3 .2
Contusion with intact skin 2 .1
Injury nerves & spinal cord 19 1.4
Certain Traumatic comp. & unspecified injuries 25 1.8
Poisoning, drugs/medicinal/biological substance 1 .1
Total 1405 100.0
Mean length of hospital stay by selected categories of injury
Fracture of skull Mean 2.83
N 6
Fracture of upper limb Mean 3.35
N 55
Fracture of lower limb Mean 5.75
N 4
Sprains & strains Mean 1.00
N 2
Open wound head/neck/trunk Mean 1.48
N 675
Open wound upper limb Mean 2.55
N 365
Open wound lower limb Mean 5.63
N 246
Superficial injury Mean 1.00
N 3
Total Mean 2.63
N 1405
Dog bites - frequency of death by age group

FrequencyPercent
0 to 4436.4
35 to 3919.1
55 to 5919.1
65 to 6919.1
75 to 7919.1
85 plus327.3
Total11100.0
Dog bites - frequency of death by sex

FrequencyPercent
Male545.5
Female654.5
Total11100.0
Dog bites - frequency of death by year of registration

FrequencyPercent
197919.1
198719.1
198819.1
198919.1
1991218.2
1994218.2
199519.1
1996218.2
Total11100.0
Dog bites - frequency of death by State in which death was registered

Frequency Percent
NSW 1 9.1
Vic 4 36.4
Qld 1 9.1
SA 2 18.2
WA 2 18.2
NT 1 9.1
Total 11 100.0
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