Research reveals that injuries to owners caused by dog leads have quadrupled over the past 20 years.

Dog walking is a popular activity and one of the reasons that dog ownership is associated with so many health benefits. Previous research has found that dog owners are more likely to hit their daily exercise targets, and dog walking has also been shown to have a number of socioemotional benefits too. However, a recent review has revealed that dog lead-related injuries have increased over the past two decades, revealing a darker side to dog walking.

Dog lead-related injuries

Dog walking accidents are often caused by dogs pulling on the lead, resulting in tripping or tangling, which can lead to a fall or upper extremity injuries. The recent review revealed that dog lead-related injuries had quadrupled over the past 20 years, and was most pronounced in women over 65 years. Most injuries were mild musculoskeletal ones, like sprains and bruises, but did include fractures and hospital admissions.

Unfortunately, very few details were recorded about the dogs’ breed, size or level of training. Also, it was not known what type of lead was being used at the time, including length, whether was extendible, and how the leash connected to the dog, e.g., collar, headcollar or harness. This is important because some types of leashes are considered to have more risks than others and these considerations should be integrated into prevention strategies.

Implications of the findings

Whilst the review highlights that the absolute risk of dog walking-related injuries is very low, it is higher for older women. This demographic are also more likely to suffer more serious injuries, such as fractures, owing to their decreased bone mineral density. For this reason, efforts should be made to develop a comprehensive strategy which matches the dog to the owner’s physical abilities and raise awareness about how dog lead-related injuries.

The following recommendations can help to reduce dog lead-related injuries:

Training: All dogs should be trained to walk on a loose lead and not pull.

Fit: Make sure that your dog’s collar or harness fits properly.

Leash length: Use a shorter non-retractable lead to give you more control and reduce the risk of your dog suddenly taking off.

Key study findings:

• Lead-related injuries increased over 20 years
• The demographic most at risk was women over the age of 65 years
• More details are needed about the dogs involved
• More awareness and prevention strategies are needed