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Managing law enforcement (K-9) dog bites in the emergency department
G V Pineda1, H R Hutson, D Anglin
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center 90033, USA.
Objective:
To review the types of injuries due to law enforcement (K-9) dog bites and address related management issues.
Methods:
A case series of law enforcement dog bite victims is reported and related literature reviewed.
Results:
Law enforcement dogs are taught a bite-and-hold technique for subduing individuals suspected of felony crimes. This bite-and-hold technique's greater applied force results in a unique spectrum of injuries, including deep puncture wounds, severe crush injuries, large tissue avulsions and lacerations, wounds necessitating surgical débridement, bony injuries ranging from cortical violations to displaced fractures, neurovascular damage, and other wounds at high risk for infection. The four reported cases highlight the types of injuries and complications associated with law enforcement dog bites.
Conclusion:
Attention to potential deep injuries of nerves, vessels, and the musculoskeletal system is essential with law enforcement dog bites. Injuries associated both with pursuit and arrest and with the bites themselves must be identified and assessed. Guidelines for the ED treatment of patients with law enforcement dog bite injuries are proposed.