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Heinze, S; Feddersen-Petersen, DU; Tsokos, M; Buschmann, C; Puschel, K.
Fatal dog attacks on children. Actual genesis and motivation of fatal dog attacks demonstrated by specific casuistics and particular pathomorphological alterations
RECHTSMEDIZIN. 2014; 24(1): 37-41. Doi: 10.1007/s00194-013-0932-3
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Leading authors Med Uni Graz: Heinze Sarah
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Abstract:: This article describes four cases of fatal dog attacks on children. These cases have in common that in each case at least two dogs participated in the attack on the child and severe injuries were predominantly found in the head and neck region. The injury patterns are similar to those found after cadaver scavenging and also by catching prey and hunting behavior and thus the ultimate fixed action pattern of predatory behavior in wolves and domestic dogs. The ultimate fixed action pattern of predatory behavior is the killing of the prey. The so-called scheme of catching prey is based on genetic disposition and learning experiences and can include humans (children) in extremely severe cases or be associated with social aggression interactive with humans (children). The causes of death in the cases described here were exsanguination and air embolism. The autopsy of two dogs demonstrated human tissue of the deceased children in the stomach contents. These cases demonstrate the vulnerability of children to dog attacks especially in the region of the head and neck, a region which is normally the target of attacks in hunting behavior. This study demonstrates the need for interdisciplinary scientific cooperation and describes the steps necessary to elucidate and prevent attacks by domestic dogs.
Find related publications in this database (Keywords): Bites and stings; Aggression; Predatory behavior; Dog cadaver autopsy; Interdisciplinary communication