Fatal Dog Bite Injury – A Case Report

Background: Dog bite is one of the most common childhood accidents causing significant morbidity and mortality in pediatrics age group (1). The exposed position compounded by the short stature of children makes the face very vulnerable to dog bite or animal bite injuries. Unlike wounds inflicted by assaults and accidents, animal bite wounds are distinctive as they are puncture type deep wounds which are injected by the bite force, with inoculums of pathogenic bacteria from the saliva of the attacking dog. Case Report: A case of a 2 month-old child who had succumbed to multiple facial and head bite injuries is presented. At autopsy, multiple bite wounds were noted on the upper part of body like face, head, chest and abdomen. Distinctive bite marks diagnostic of canine dentition were present, most prominently on the head, face and chest. Death was due to cranio-cerebral damage. Conclusion: Public health notification should occur for all dog bites. This would facilitate the development of regional dog bite registries with information on incidence and dogs at risk, which in turn could guide policies such as leash laws and licensing.