A recent study has delivered a stark warning, revealing that dog bites and strikes inflict deep psychological scars alongside physical injuries. Published in the prestigious British Medical Journal (BMJ), the research indicates that at least one in every six individuals who suffer such an injury ends up with a diagnosed psychiatric condition.
Children Bear the Brunt of Mental Health Impact
The study, which focused its analysis on medical claims, found that children are at the highest risk of dog-related injuries. However, the researchers noted that a rise in adult cases is driving a national increase in many regions. The mental health consequences for young victims are particularly severe and wide-ranging.
Common issues identified include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), specific phobias, nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, and social withdrawal. The study was authored by John Tulloch from the University of Liverpool's Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, along with other researchers.
"At least 1 in 6 injured patients received a clinical psychiatric diagnosis, most commonly specific phobias and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)," the authors stated. They highlighted that the prevalence of phobia among dog-bite victims in their study far exceeded global averages.
A Growing Public Health Concern with High Costs
The experts analysed 816 medical claims filed in England and Wales between January 2017 and March 2024. Dog bites accounted for a overwhelming 91.3% of cases, while dog strikes made up 6.7%. The authors flagged these incidents as an emerging public health challenge.
The analysis showed a clear pattern in injuries: adults mostly suffer limb injuries, while children are more vulnerable to head and neck injuries. The financial burden is also massive, with direct hospital costs reaching £70.8 million in England for 2017–18 alone.
The study mapped common incident locations:
- Outside private homes.
- On highways or pavements.
- Inside private residences.
- Non-bite incidents frequently occurred in public spaces like parks.
Injuries were also found to be more common in socioeconomically deprived areas.
Call for Stricter Leash Laws and Public Awareness
In response to the findings, the study recommends concrete policy changes. A key suggestion is updating national legislation to mandate that dogs be kept on a short, fixed-length leash (under two metres) on public highways and in urban green spaces, unless in designated off-leash zones.
"This exemption provision is to ensure that the important balance between public safety and dog welfare can be achieved," the study clarified. The researchers stressed that public awareness must grow to reduce stigma and promote support for affected individuals.
"The prevalence within our study exceeds these [global averages] and shows that dog-related injuries could be a major risk for developing a specific phobia," the authors concluded. They warned that this condition severely impairs an individual's role in society, with 18.7% reporting impacts on home, work, social life and relationships, leading to a diminished quality of life.
