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Bite of dog by children in South of Bohemia
PFLEGEROVÁ, Jitka
Dog bites are becoming an ever more urgent issue. This is caused by the increasing numbers of pets. Children and senior citizens are the most frequent victims of dog bites. Dog bites are caused mostly by cuspids and carnassials teeth. Depending on the intensity of the jaw squeeze the resulting injury is an imprint, scratch, contusion with hemorrhage or stab wound. If the jaw squeeze is very strong even an amputation may occur, particularly of fingers, nose and external ear. Injuries caused by dog bites are mostly of a laceration {--} contusion character. Older children are most frequently injured on limbs, particularly arms. The second, in terms of frequency, are wounds and injuries of head and neck, followed by trunk injuries. In children under 4 years of age the injuries of head and neck account for up to 2/3 of all injuries caused by dog bites. The consequences may include a lifelong trauma. Therefore the issue should not be underestimated and dog attacks should be prevented. The objective of my bachelor thesis was to identify and compare the number of dog attacks against children and youth in towns and municipalities in the South Bohemian region. The objective of the thesis has been met. The research sought to confirm or to rebut the following hypotheses: H: There is a correlation between the number of dog attacks and the size of a municipality or town, H1: There is a correlation between the size of a dog breed and the number of attacks, H2: An absolute majority of all injuries caused by dogs does not require medical intervention H3: An absolute majority of all injuries caused by dogs occurs in the home environment, H4: An absolute majority of a the inquired respondents were attacked by their own dogs. The hypothesis H has been confirmed. Attacks by dogs are three times more frequent in villages than in towns. The hypothesis H1 has not been confirmed. The percentages of attacks are nearly the same for big and small breeds. The difference consisted of 10 %. The hypothesis H2 has been confirmed. 81% of injuries caused by dog attacks were treated at home. The hypothesis H3 has been confirmed. An absolute majority of injuries caused by dogs occurred at home or in the garden - own, in gardens of friends or neighbors. The hypothesis H4 has been rebutted. 33% of the approached respondents were bitten by their own dogs. The results of the research have shown that only 11 of the approached respondents were instructed by their teachers about what to do in case of a dog bite. The answers indicate that the issue of dog bite is missing in the school curriculum. The situation can be improved by implementation of preventive programs dealing with the issue and by expanding the school curriculum. The dog training and canistherapy association Hafík conducts prevention programs in nursery schools as a part of a therapy with the assistance of animals. The association Hafík might also cooperate with schools.
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