Fatal Dog Attacks in Italy (2009-2025): The Urgent Need for a National Risk Registry

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Public Health
• Forensic Science

Background:

• Fatal dog attacks present significant public health challenges.
• Italy currently lacks a centralized registry for tracking fatal dog attacks, impeding effective surveillance and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends and patterns of fatal dog attacks in Italy from 2009 to 2025.
• To identify demographic, breed, ownership, and environmental factors associated with fatal dog attacks.
• To highlight the need for a centralized behavioral risk registry in Italy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of verified fatal dog attacks using media reports and cross-verified data.
• Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, logistic and Poisson regressions, and interaction analyses were employed.
• Comparative analysis with United States data was conducted.

Main Results:

• 54 fatal dog attacks were recorded, showing an increasing trend in recent years.
• Elderly individuals (≥65) and young children (≤4) were the most vulnerable victim groups.
• Molosser and bull-type breeds were involved in 69% of attacks; 92.6% involved owned dogs, often belonging to the victim, primarily in private settings.

Conclusions:

• Fatal dog attacks in Italy exhibit predictable and preventable patterns.
• The absence of a national database significantly limits surveillance and intervention capabilities.
• Establishing a centralized behavioral risk registry is crucial for early detection, policy development, and multidisciplinary collaboration.