In Spain, the law does not allow dogs to be walked without a leash in public spaces. The only exceptions are, of course, places reserved for them. Good dog training is essential for dogs to learn to walk without pulling on the lead. However, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, traumatic brain injury was the second most common injury among adults treated in U.S. emergency rooms related to leashed dog walking injuries from 2001-2020.
The study describes people over the age of 65 as most likely to be injured by a dog. Most likely to suffer serious injuries. The most common are falls after being dragged, tangled or tripped on the leash while walking the dog.
Indeed, researchers found that between 2001 and 2020, approximately 422,659 adults visited emergency departments for injuries caused by dogs on leashes. Nearly half of the patients were adults aged 40-64 years. 75% of the patients were women.
The three most common injuries
The three most common injuries in adults are a broken finger, a brain injury and a sprain or strain to the shoulder. Traumatic brain injuries identified in this study include both concussion and non-traumatic internal head injuries. These may include cerebral contusion (bruising of brain tissue), epidural hematoma (bleeding through the outer meninges). or subdural hematoma (bleeding under the outer meninges).
In addition, women with dog walking injuries were 50% more likely than men to suffer a fracture.
Over the 20-year study period, the estimated annual incidence of walking injuries in dogs on leashes more than quadrupled. The researchers then suggest that this trend may be due to an increase in the number of dog owners. But also due to the promotion of dog walking for physical fitness.
Edward McFarland, author of the study and director of the department of shoulder surgery at Johns Hopkins Medicine, makes the following statement. “Physicians need to be aware of these risks and inform their patients about them. Especially women and the elderly. “We encourage physicians to assess pet ownership. As well as the risk of fractures and falls. And to discuss safe dog walking practices during health checks for these vulnerable groups. Despite our findings, we urge people to keep their dogs on a lead if required by law.
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