Dog bites and attacks on athletes: lack of effective prevention mechanisms

Abstract

<p>Athletes who train in public places in urban and rural areas are just<br />as attacked and injured by dogs of known owners as they are by<br />dogs with no owners, in a relatively equal proportion. The largest<br />number of bites occurs in the summer, what makes up half of all<br />bites, just when sports activity is most pronounced. Athletes who<br />are most often exposed to potential attacks and bites are cyclists, long-distance athletes, marathon runners, recreational athletes, etc. both during training and competitions. Off-road cyclists<br />are at a significantly higher risk of dog attacks because cycling<br />takes place off-road, that is, away from urban areas. Dog attacks<br />can adversely affect the psycho-physical readiness of athletes. In<br />Bosnia and Herzegovina there have been no cases of injuries to<br />athletes recorded by competent medical institutions or umbrella<br />sports associations. It is necessary to work on more efficient administration (registration and recording of attacks and bites of dogs).<br />It is of utmost importance to educate athletes on dog behaviour, the<br />reasons for their aggressive behaviour and causal mechanisms of<br />dog attacks as well as the first aid education, what can have a great<br />impact on reducing further complications.</p>