Dog Bites: A Multidisciplinary Perspective

Description

The issue of dog bites and dog aggression directed at humans is frequently in the media. However, scientific research and evidence on the subject is scattered and sparse. Public and political opinions are often misinformed and out of proportion to the extent of the problem. Dog Bites brings together expert knowledge of the current situation, from a wide variety of disciplines, to provide information to the many people and professions affected by this issue. Subjects range from the practical, medical, behavioural, sociological, and theoretical, but the overall approach of the book is objective and integrative. Topics addressed include: the genetic basis of aggression; the public image of aggressive dogs; bite statistics; risk factors; the forensics and surgical aspects of dog bites; international legal perspectives; court evidence; first aid treatment; zoonotic disease potential; behavioural rehabilitation options; the risk to children; and a consideration of why some dogs kill. All contributors are academic or long-standing professional experts in their field, and they represent a wide spread of international expertise. This issue is an important one for pet owners, vets, animal shelters, and anyone who works with dogs, such as the police. This book will be a valuable resource for them, as well as for animal behaviourists, academic researchers, health professionals, dog breeders, and handlers. Contents Acknowledgements Contributors Introduction • Daniel Mills and Carri Westgarth Section 1: Fundamental Principles 1 Dog Bites and Aggressive Behaviour – Key Underpinning Principles for their Scientific Study • Daniel Mills 2 Reading Aggressive Behaviour in Dogs: From Observation to Inference • Helen Zulch 3 Dog Bite Statistics – Where do They Come From and What Can They Tell Us? • Kenton Morgan, Amy Curtis, Nicky Goodson, Libby Wilson, Laura Potts and Clare Pritchard 4 Dog Bites from a Public Health Perspective • Francine Watkins and Carri Westgarth Section 2: Perceptions of Dogs that Bite 5 The Representation of Human-Directed Aggression in the Popular Media • Mie Kikuchi and James Oxley 6 Aggressive Dogs and Public Image • Simon Harding 7 Public Perceptions of Breed Related risk – Fact or Fiction? • Tracey Clarke Section 3: Dog Bites and Risk 8 The Genetic Basis of Dog Aggression • Fernanda Fadel and Malgorzata Pilot 9 Tests for Aggression and Prediction of Aggression • Maya Braem Dubé 10 Risk Factors for Dog Bites – An Epidemiological Perspective • Jenny Newman, Rob Christley, Carri Westgarth and Kenton Morgan 11 Fatal Dog Attacks • Wim Van de Voorde and Dingeman Rijken 12 Jaw Structure and Bite Potential • Samantha Penrice and Marcello Ruta Section 4: Investigative and Legal Issues 13 Canine Aggression and the Law – an International Perspective • Fiona Cooke 14 The Investigation of Dog Bite Incidents and Procedures for Gathering Evidence • James Crosby 15 The Forensics of Dog Bites • Annamaria Passantino 16 Anatomy of Dog Bite Injuries • James Crosby 17 Choosing a Dog Bite Expert • Tina Wagon 18 The Assessment of Dogs for Legal Cases – a UK Perspective • Kendal Shepherd Section 5: Health Issues 19 First Aid and Practical Medical Management for Dog Bites • Matthew Burgess 20 The Microbiology of Dog Bite Wounds • Lorna Lancaster 21 Dog Bite Injuries: Surgical Management of the Wound • Christopher Mannion 22 Dog Bites and Rabies • Lorraine McElhinney 23 Impact of Dog Aggression on Victims • Carri Westgarth and Francine Watkins Section 6: Handling the Aggressive Dog 24 Physical and Chemical Restraint of the Aggressive Dog • Kevin McPeake 25 Best Advice to a Dog Owner Whose Dog has Bitten Someone • Esther Schalke 26 Behavioural First Aid – Aggressive Behaviours • Lynn Hewison and Graham Turton Section 7: Managing Future Risk 27 Risk Assessment Principles and Procedures in Use • Barbara Schöning 28 Case Study of Methods for the Rehabilitation of Dogs that have Bitten: Shelter Dogs • Susanne David and Katharina Woytalewicz Section 8: Prevention 29 Prevention of Dog Bites – Resources and their Value • Melissa Starling and Paul McGreevy 30 Children and Dogs – Risks and Effective Dog Bite Prevention • Kerstin Meints 31 Case Study – Multi-Agency Collaboration for the Prevention of Dog Bites: The LEAD Initiative • Heath Keogh Section 9: Concluding Comments 32 Reconciling Opinion and Evidence on Dog Bites – a Suggested Way Forward Using Forensic Risk Assessment • Rachel Orritt and Todd Hogue Afterword • Daniel Mills and Carri Westgarth Index