Dog ownership has unknown risks but known health benefits: we need evidence based policy

Dog bites present a public health risk of unknown magnitude. No scientific evidence upon which to base a reliable UK estimate has been obtained in the past two decades. In a clinical review in The BMJ, Morgan and Palmer1 gave an estimate of 250 000 dog bites a year, incorrectly citing Thomas and Banks2 in 1990 (who suggested 230 000 bites a year). This original estimate was not a product of any investigation, nor was it cited to any other source. Morgan and Palmer’s 250 000 figure has pervaded the news media, scientific literature, and the evidence base of recent legislation—despite it being inaccurate and 24 years out of date.

In addition to improper use of evidence, the discussion of the impact of dog-human interactions by medical professionals sometimes ignores the health benefits concomitant with dog ownership. In a personal view in The BMJ …