Characterization of cases of canine aggression in Campinas, SP, Brazil

Abstract

A retrospective study was conducted with information on the cases of canine aggression notified in 2009 in the municipality of Campinas, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Information was obtained from 87 (3.8%) out of 2,281 cases. Cumulative incidence of canine aggression was 2.42% per year (CI95%: 2.32-2.51) per 1000 inhabitants. Most victims of aggressive dogs were men (53.0%), adults (72.0%), and owners (52.9%). The attacks occurred mainly in the street (55.2%), while the victim was interacting with the dog (79.3%), and the upper limbs were the most affected part of the body (49.4%). Most of these dogs were males (74.7%), adults (74.3%), mixed-breed (65.5%), not castrated (98.9%), restricted (55.2%), without training (98.1%), and half of them had already bitten. Canine aggression was not associated to sex, breed, reproductive status, type of restrain, and training, because frequency distribution of these variables among the canine population of Campinas is unknown. In order to develop preventive protocols for dog bites, populational studies assessing the characteristics and prevalence of dog aggression are needed.