New report shows sharp increase in number of injuries caused by dogs

As reported by The New York Times, a new Department of Health and Human Services report reveals that the number of people hospitalized for dog bites almost doubled over a 15-year-period, increasing to 9,500 in 2008 from 5,100 in 1993. The increase vastly exceeded population growth, and pet ownership increased only slightly during the same period, said the report’s author, Anne Elixhauser, a senior research scientist with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. “It’s really kind of frightening, and unfortunately, we’re at a loss to explain it,” Dr. Elixhauser said. Thanks to the Boston Personal Injury Lawyer Blog for the link.