Citation

Palacio J, León-Artozqui M, Pastor-Villalba E, Carrera-Martín F, Garcia-Belenguer S. J. Feline Med. Surg. 2007; 9(3): 188-195.

Affiliation

Animal Pathology Department, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, C/ Miguel Servet, 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain. jpalacio@unizar.es

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, International Society of Feline Medicine and American Association of Feline Practitioners, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jfms.2006.11.001

PMID

17188013

Abstract

Feline aggression towards people has a smaller incidence than canine aggression, but also represents an important public health problem. The aim of this work was to analyse feline aggression reported towards people, to estimate its incidence and to assess the risk factors involved. The information was obtained from the Public Health Centres in the Valencian Region (Spain). A total of 936 acts of feline aggression were analysed. Cats inflicted 8% of all animal bites reported. The annual average was 6.36 feline aggression incidents per 100,000 people. Most aggressive incidents occurred during the summer months. Children (0-14 years old) and women were more likely to be bitten. Wounds were mainly punctures, single, and mild, and were located mostly on the hands. In children, the head and neck areas were affected much more than in adults. The cats involved in incidents were mostly Siamese, female and owned; these cats mainly attacked their owners. Most occurrences were a defensive response by the cat.

Language: en