Dog bite incidence in the city of Pittsburgh: a capture-recapture approach.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to estimate the number of dog bite injuries occurring in the city of Pittsburgh in 1993.


METHODS
The capture-recapture method was used, along with long-linear modeling. Three sources were used to identify victims hospital reports, animal control reports, and police/victim reports.


RESULTS
In 1993, 790 dog bites were reported. The capture-recapture method estimated that there were 1388 unreported dog bites, with an estimated incidence rate of 58.9 per 10,000.


CONCLUSIONS
Dog bite is a common our preventable injury. To improve surveillance, the focus should be on educating the general public about the serious consequences of dog bite injuries.
Chang
Y F
YF
Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pa., USA.
McMahon
J E
JE
Hennon
D L
DL
LaPorte
R E
RE
Coben
J H
JH
D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D004285:Dogs; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016014:Linear Models; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population