Dog bites in Vienna: Smallest victims and shocking incidents!

Dog bites in Vienna: Smallest victims and shocking incidents!

Dramatic incidents in Vienna summarize the worrying reality surrounding dog bite incidents. Last Saturday, a one and a half year old boy in Vienna was bitten in the face by a Labrador mix. The child was in the care of his 66-year-old grandmother. While the child only sustained minor facial injuries, this incident highlights the ongoing danger of dog bites, particularly to children.

In 2024, around 350 dog bite incidents were recorded in Vienna. Children under the age of ten are particularly at risk. According to the findings of Kosmo, experts confirm that parents should never leave their small children unsupervised with dogs, even if they are familiar animals. This is particularly important because, according to a study by the Graz association “Big Protect Little Ones”, around 800 children in Austria are bitten by dogs every year. In two out of three cases it is a dog that the children know well.

Common causes of dog bites

The most common cause of bite incidents is that the children get too close to the dogs at the moments when they are bitten by dogs. Playing with or petting dogs are common triggers. According to the results of the research, it can be observed that children often have a distorted image of dogs, which is promoted by children's films and books in which dogs are often portrayed as “cute”.

According to Kleine Zeitung, education about dog behavior and the warning signals a dog gives off could make a crucial contribution to preventing such incidents. Dogs often show the first signs of stress or fear before they bite, such as growling or raising their lips. 64% of dog bites in children are caused by the dog being surprised.

Regulations and security

There are strict regulations regarding dog ownership in Vienna. Listed dogs must wear a leash and muzzle, while other dogs must wear a muzzle or a leash on public transport, in markets and in parks. The police carry out regular checks to monitor compliance with these regulations. Violations can be punished with fines of up to 3,500 euros, underlining the importance of keeping laws in the city to minimize safety risks.

The need for such measures is reinforced by the fact that a high proportion of serious injuries from dog bites occur particularly when the dog comes from someone in the extended family, such as grandparents or uncles. Children who are bitten by dogs in their immediate environment are, on average, younger and often suffer more serious injuries.

In summary, the incidents and figures show that dog bites represent a serious challenge. Education about dog behavior, as well as rigorous dog ownership and control regulations, are critical to ensuring everyone's safety.

Additionally, a study shows that 78% of dog bites involve known people, highlighting the need to raise awareness of safe dog behavior within families and circles of friends. In the long term, this could significantly reduce the risk for children.

For further information on biting behavior in dogs and its causes, we refer to Soin-et-nature, which covers the topic in more depth and provides valuable insights into prevention.