Dog bites in Australian children

Abstract

[Extract] Dogs have been companions of humans for over 12 000 years and have become an inseparable part of rural and urban life. Many breeds continue to do valuable work — managing livestock on farms, guiding the visually impaired, sniffing out contraband, and as guard dogs. Most of the 3.4 million dogs in Australia are family pets, with 36% of households owning a dog.1 Unfortunately, as a result of this close relationship, dog bites are common.