title: Unusual fatal dog attack in Dunedin, New Zealand.
abstract: A case of a fatal dog attack on a middle aged woman is presented. The offending dog was her own Bull-mastiff, which had previously shown signs of aggression towards her. Most of the injuries were found on the victim's face, neck and skull. A noteworthy feature of this attack was that the victim was known to suffer from Huntington disease. It is postulated that the involuntary movements, progressive dementia and increased moodiness characteristic of the disease may have had a significant role in triggering the attack.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Healey
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kieser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs / Q000523:psychology; D004291:Dominance-Subordination; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D020197:Head Injuries, Penetrating / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology