According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tens of millions of people around the world are attacked by dogs every year. In the United States (US) alone, 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year. Although data for low- and middle-income countries is not clear, according to the WHO, dogs account for 76 to 94 percent of all animal bite cases. While an estimated 59,000 people die of rabies each year, most of these deaths are caused by rabid dog attacks. Children are the most vulnerable group to dog attacks.
Scientists at Harvard University School of Medicine and the School of Public Health in the United States investigated the environmental factors behind dog attacks in a scientific study in 2023.
With the goal of determining the impact of environmental factors such as temperature, air pollution and particulate matter, precipitation and ultraviolet radiation on the potential increase in dog bites, scientists conducted studies in Dallas, Houston, Baltimore, Baton Rouge, Chicago, Louisville, New York City and Los Angeles between 2009 and 2018. examined attack records obtained from animal control agencies in their cities.
Ozone pollution, heat and ultraviolet rays increase the number of bites
Daily particulate matter density and 8-hour ozone pollution data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air quality system in these cities, daily temperature and precipitation data from the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration Climatology Network, and the US National Weather Service Climate Forecast Center. Daily ultraviolet light data were collected and analyzed.
In the study, which compared the data of days when there were no dog bites and days when there were attacks, a general analysis was also carried out over the years to understand if there was a long-term trend. In addition, different models were created by taking into account holidays and weekends for each city separately.
As a result of the 69,525 dog bite cases they examined using these indicators, the scientists found that dog bite cases increased with increasing ozone pollution, temperature and UV radiation, and decreased on rainy days. The research showed that daily dog bites are influenced by many environmental variables, including ozone, temperature, precipitation and UV radiation, but not by particulate matter.
Scientists have speculated that ozone, which affects various functions in the brain, may lead to aggressive behavior by affecting the striatum region, which coordinates many aspects of cognition, including both motor and action planning, decision making, motivation, and reward perception.
“Attacks increase in the summer months”
Another article published in 2023 by academics from Erzurum University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Erzurum Ataturk University, contained the results of research on which seasons dog bite cases increase.
The study, entitled “Epidemiological characteristics, seasonality, trends in dog attack injuries and their relationship with meteorological data,” was conducted based on applications submitted to emergency services in Erzurum city center with complaints about dog bites between 2012 and 2019. According to the study, 1,335 cases of dog bites were admitted to the emergency room in the years considered. It was found that the average age of the patients was 26 years and bite cases were common in the 20-44 age group, with 82.6 percent of the cases being injuries that required simple medical intervention.
According to the study's findings, rising case numbers reached two separate peaks in March, when temperatures rose regionally, in June and August, while the lowest case numbers were recorded in December.
“The heat forces us to act impulsively”
Reviewing her research on this topic, Dr. Clas Linnman said dogs respond to different environmental factors.
Linnman explained the reason for this situation with the following words:
“Experiments on rodents show us that dopamine, the reward system, is directly affected by ozone pollution. In addition, stress can lead to the search for short-term rewards. Aggression can actually occur in many ways, that is, the goal is.” “At this point, I can say that hot weather forces both us and the dogs to act more impulsively.”
How do you protect yourself from dog attacks?
Linnman explained that they are working on the functional functioning of the brain and said, “Of course, these are not all the main determinants. Aggression is indeed an option and the owner of the dog bears responsibility at that point. However, it is the environmental factors.” The measures mentioned could pave the way for dogs to cross certain boundaries.
Regarding the impact of changing climate conditions on aggressive behavior in dogs, Linnman said: “Our research shows that rising temperatures, especially in summer, can increase aggressive behavior in dogs.”
DR. Regarding what needs to be done to prevent a possible dog attack, Clas Linnman said: “Trust your instincts and keep your distance from a dog that looks aggressive, make sure your dog has access to shade and water during the summer months,” and teach your children to understand a dog's behavior.
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