TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2010//
TI  - Decline in hospitalisations due to dog bite injuries in Catalonia, 1997-2008. An effect of government regulation?
JO  - Injury prevention
A1  - Villalbí, J. R.
A1  - Cleries, M.
A1  - Bouis, S.
A1  - Peracho, V.
A1  - Duran, J.
A1  - Casas, C.
SP  - 408
EP  - 410
VL  - 16
IS  - 6
N2  - Objective To analyse population-based data on hospitalisation caused by dog bite injuries after changes in legal regulations on dog ownership, including breed-specific regulations. Design Descriptive study. Setting Hospitals in Catalonia (Spain), 1997-2008. Subjects Persons hospitalised with injuries caused by dog bites. Results There has been a significant decline in hospitalisation caused by injuries from dog bites from 1.80/100 000 in 1997-9 to 1.11/100 000 in 2006-8, after the enactment of stricter regulations on dog ownership in 1999 and 2002. The magnitude of this change is significant (-38%), and has been greatest in less urban settings. Conclusions Government regulations were associated with a sizable decrease in injuries caused by dog bites in Catalonia. More evaluative studies in this field may provide criteria to focus future regulations and other preventive interventions.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1353-8047
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ip.2010.026997
ID  - ref1
ER  -