title: Incidence and impact of dog attacks on guide dogs in the UK: an update.
abstract: Data on dog attacks on Guide Dogs' stock were reviewed to investigate the characteristics of the attacks. An average of 11.2 attacks occurred each month. Nearly all of the attacks occurred in public areas, 68.4 per cent of victim dogs were qualified guide dogs and 55.5 per cent of victim dogs were working in harness when they were attacked. Guide Dogs' stock were injured in 43.2 per cent of attacks and veterinary costs for attacks were estimated at £34,514.30. Over 40 per cent of qualified guide dogs' working ability was affected and >20 per cent of qualified guide dogs required some time off from working after a dog attack. Twenty dogs were permanently withdrawn from the Guide Dogs' programme as a result of dog attacks, 13 of which were qualified and working with guide dog owners at the time of the withdrawal; this resulted in a financial cost of >£600,000 to the charity. More importantly perhaps, temporary and permanent withdrawals have a significant impact upon the mobility and independence of guide dog owners and in many cases significantly impacted their emotional well-being.
authors.affiliation: Guide Dogs Breeding Centre, Banbury Road, Leamington Spa CV33 9QJ, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moxon
authors.affiliation: Guide Dogs Breeding Centre, Banbury Road, Leamington Spa CV33 9QJ, UK Guide Dogs Breeding Centre, Banbury Road, Leamington Spa CV33 9QJ, UK.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Whiteside
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK.
authors.forename: G C W
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: England
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001766:Blindness / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002608:Charities / Q000191:economics; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D010067:Ownership / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000191:economics; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation
keywords: Aggression; Behaviour; Dogs