A record number of Californians went to emergency rooms due to dog bites. This may be due to the increase in the number of pet dogs during the pandemic period. Veterinarians told this KFF Health News (KHN).
In 2022, 48,596 people in California went to the emergency room due to dog bites. This is 125 visits per 100 thousand people, 70% more than in 2005.
Hospitalization rates roughly doubled from 2006 to 2022. Although deaths from dog bites are extremely rare, the number in California increased by nearly 70% during the same period; From 2018 to 2022, there were 28 cases.
Isolation due to the pandemic prevented the puppies from socializing. It is possible that doctors are currently facing the consequences of this. For healthy development, puppies need to learn acceptable behavior between the first three and 16 weeks of life. The problem of poor socialization is common in rural areas: there is no space for dogs to come into contact with other animals and people.
KHN emphasizes that owners of aggressive dogs should consult a veterinarian who specializes in animal behavior as soon as possible.
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