Your point is well taken. In Australia, it is estimated that about
60% of attacks/bites involve familiar dogs. Children are likely to be less
cautious with such animals than with strange dogs, as in our study, so our
study results may be optimistic. However, the prospect of conducting an
RCT with what would need to be dozens if not hundreds of pairings of
familiar dogs-child pairings, with unobtrusive observation thrown in, is
daunting to say the least!
Rapid Response:
Familiar dogs
Your point is well taken. In Australia, it is estimated that about
60% of attacks/bites involve familiar dogs. Children are likely to be less
cautious with such animals than with strange dogs, as in our study, so our
study results may be optimistic. However, the prospect of conducting an
RCT with what would need to be dozens if not hundreds of pairings of
familiar dogs-child pairings, with unobtrusive observation thrown in, is
daunting to say the least!
Competing interests: No competing interests