Are Pets Dangerous?

By Devaki

Monday, April 19, 2010, 16:42

Pets are known to be a man's true companion but a new study suggests that dogs and cats are a lurking household danger, causing all kinds of injuries related to falls.

The researcher said that most of the accidents took place while chasing after the pets.

"Certainly pets are wonderful and have many benefits, so we're not saying anything about not having them," says researcher Judy Stevens. But he emphasised on the fact that the people should be more careful if they keep pets.

A report from 60 hospitals revealed that most of the emergency calls are linked to pet-related falls. Totals number of injuries associated with cats and dogs in Unites States in the year 2006 reached a total of 86,629.

The report showed that even though cats are known to follow at your heels, or right beneath your feet, dogs were involved in nearly 7.5 times more injuries as cats. This may be because dogs are bigger and stronger and children and women can rarely match their power and strength.

Girls were more than twice as likely as men to have pet-related fall injuries. Children and those above the age of 35 were the most likely to end up with an accident with their fur balls.

Most of the dog-related injuries occurred when people take their pets for a walk. While going for a walk, the dogs often pull their owners with all their strength. Failing to match up with their strength, people fall down.