Epidemiology of dog bites in the West Pomeranian Province based on data from the District Veterinary Inspectorate in Szczecin, 2021–2023

Introduction and Objective.One of the most frequently described risks associated with the relationship between humans and dogs is dog bites which, according to the WHO, remain a global public health problem.The aim of the study is to analyze dog bite cases recorded by the District Veterinary Inspectorate in Szczecin between 2021-2023.Materials and Method.A total of 321 cases were studied, including breed, age, gender, and vaccination status of the dog, as well as the age of the victims and their relationship with the dog.In addition, aggression type, incident location and circumstances were taken into account.Results.The most common perpetrators of bites were mixed breeds (52.00%) and German Shepherds (9.70%).Males bit more than twice as often as females, even though females are registered twice as often as males in the Polish Kennel Club.Adult dogs (4-8 years old) followed by the youngest individuals (< 2 years old) bit most frequently.Most bites occurred outside the property (52.60%), when the victim was near the dog (40.57%), and children accounted for 34.00% of all victims.The most common type of aggression was defensive (33.33%).Breed, age, and gender of the dog, as well as relationship with the victim, significantly influenced the occurrence of bites (p < 0.05). Conclusions.The results emphasize the importance of educating the public about preventive behaviour towards dogs in order to decrease the risk of dangerous incidents.