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Bites - human and animal - Background information
What are the characteristics of a dog bite?

  • Dog bites characteristically involve puncture wounds from the canine teeth which anchor the victim whilst the other teeth bite, shear, and tear the tissues causing stretch lacerations [Dire, 1992; Morgan and Palmer, 2007]:
    • Lacerations occur in 30–45% of cases.
    • Puncture wounds occur in 13–34% of cases.
    • Superficial abrasions occur in 30–43% of cases.
  • Pit bull terriers inflict the most serious injuries as they have a biting force of up to 450 pounds per square inch (enough to crush sheet metal) and grind their molars into soft tissue, causing particularly large wounds and significant devitalization [Morgan, 2005].
  • The majority of dog bites are caused by pet male dogs (i.e. owned rather than strays), and their victims are more likely to be male and under 20 years of age [Wright, 1990; Sacks et al, 1996].
  • Children are usually bitten on the face, and up to 80% present with facial and cervical injuries: the majority affect the lips, nose, and cheeks. Adults tend to be bitten on the extremities, particularly the hands [Griego et al, 1995; Morgan, 2005].
  • Most attacks are unprovoked. Dogs resent their territory being invaded or being disturbed during eating, and dislike being threatened. They may also be jealous of attention given to other family members [Morgan and Palmer, 2007].
  • All dogs should be considered to have the potential to bite, but the highest risk appears to be from german shepherd dogs, pit bull terriers, rottweilers, and chows [Morgan and Palmer, 2007].

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