East Harlem Tops Manhattan In Dog Bite Emergencies: Study

EAST HARLEM, NY — The dogs in East Harlem aren't all bark. A study conducted by the New York City Health Department showed that East Harlem had the highest rate of dog bite-related emergency visits in Manhattan.

Analyzing data on dog bites from 2014 the Health Department determined that East Harlem has a rate between 106.8 and 130.1 bite-related emergency department visits per 100,000 people. East Harlem was the only neighborhood with such a high rate in Manhattan and one of only four in the entire city, according to the study. The other neighborhoods with similar rates were Bushwick, the South Bronx and Staten Island — which had the highest overall rate in the city.

In all of New York City, 6,373 bite-related emergency department visits were made resulting in 293 hospitalizations and hospital charges of more than $17 million, the study said.

"Dog bites can be dangerous, so it’s important that all New Yorkers, particularly children, learn how to interact with dogs to minimize the likelihood of a dog bite," Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said in a statement.

To prevent dog bites the city recommends that New Yorkers follow these tips:

• Always supervise children around dogs, even familiar dogs.
• Teach children safe behaviors to prevent bites, including moving slowly around dogs and leaving a dog alone wile it is eating, sleeping or playing with a toy.
• Learn more about bite prevention. Visit nyc.gov and search "protecting children from dog bites."
• If a dog bites you, get the owner’s name, address and phone number, and call 311 to report the bite

Read the full Health Department study here.

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