To the Editor: Kimble and colleagues have implied that the main strategic intervention to reduce the risk of dog bites is the education of dogs, owners and children,1 which is the equivalent of claiming that the most important way to prevent road accidents is for people to drive more carefully. There is no good evidence that education-only approaches reduce the risk of dog bites.2
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- 1. Kimble RM, Dallow N, Franklin R, Wallis B. Dog bites in Australian children. Med J Aust 2011; 195: 635-636. <MJA full text>
- 2. Duperrex O, Blackhall K, Burri M, Jeannot E. Education of children and adolescents for the prevention of dog bite injuries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009; (2): CD004726. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004726.pub2.
- 3. Haddon W Jr. Advances in the epidemiology of injuries as a basis for public policy. Pub Health Rep 1980; 95: 411-421.
- 4. Shuler CM, DeBess EE, Lapidus JA, Hedberg K. Canine and human factors related to dog bite injuries. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2008; 232: 542-546
- 5. Sacks JJ, Lockwood R, Hornreicht J, Sattin RW. Fatal dog attacks, 1989–1994. Pediatrics 1996; 97: 891-895.
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We would like to acknowledge Helen Thomas, Epidemiologist, South Australian Department of Health and Ageing, for her helpful comments on the letter.
No relevant disclosures.