Dog bite injuries (DBI) in New Zealand are becoming increasingly prevalent with higher numbers of hospital admissions and associated costs to tertiary centres. Dog bite injuries especially in the paediatric population are currently a highly publicised topic in New Zealand and there are calls for preventative action. This study retrospectively analysed demographic data and injury outcomes of Christchurch patients that sustained DBI in the last five years.
A total of 1,081 DBI were admitted to the Christchurch Emergency Department (ED) or Inpatient services over the last 5 years (October 1st 2010 to September 30th 2015). In our 5 year review there was an annual average of 70.4 Inpatient admissions and 145.8 ED admissions - an admission every 1.7 days.
Certain demographic trends have been identified in our study. 26.5% of DBI occur in people living in the two poorest NZ Deprivation Index areas of Christchurch. Māori comprise 17.6% of total admissions but represent 7.3% of the population in Christchurch; Children under 10 years old account for 25% of Inpatient admissions and only make up approximately 12% of the region’s population. Young children are more likely to be bitten on the face than an adult and are more likely to undergo an operation during their treatment. Māori children make up 24% of all under 10 year old injuries who require Inpatient admission. The most commonly recorded breed of attacking dog was Pitbull type (31.1% of known breed attacks).
This demographic review provides valuable information that could assist decision makers in creating population specific preventative strategies to combat serious dog bite injuries. Strategies to minimise the frequency of DBI are required improve public safety and reduce the burden on emergency services.