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Review paper

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

By
Muhamed Katica Orcid logo ,
Muhamed Katica
Contact Muhamed Katica

Department of Pathological Physiology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Nadža Kapo ,
Nadža Kapo

Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Nasreldin Hassan Ahmed ,
Nasreldin Hassan Ahmed

Emergency Medicine Clinic, Clinical Centre of the University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Anida Kapo-Gurda ,
Anida Kapo-Gurda

Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Safet Kapo
Safet Kapo

Faculty of Sport and Physical Education of the University of Sarajevo, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

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

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