Paris (AFP)

The risk of being bitten by a dog does not depend on its breed, but on a multitude of factors, indicates Monday ANSES, which reminds never to leave a child alone with a dog and recommends better awareness of the risks.

In France, certain dog breeds are considered "dangerous": attack dogs (American Staffordshire terrier or pit bull; Mastiff, Tosa) and guard and defense dogs (American Staffordshire terrier, Rottweiler, Tosa, similar to Rottweilers).

Their owners must have a detention permit.

At the request of the Ministry of Agriculture, the health agency Anses sought to determine "the dangerousness of dogs", according to a statement.

The figures available show 10,000 bites per year but "this figure is certainly below reality", notes Matthieu Schuler, Deputy Director General of the science center of ANSES.

"There are a very large number of conditions that lead to a bite: some depend on the dog, its development, its well-being ... other factors are linked to people, their age, the place where it takes place, whether or not they are paying attention to the dog's signals, "he continues.

The ANSES study shows that male dogs are more aggressive, as are adult dogs.

Too early weaning, too late in contact with humans, the animal's living conditions, education and health also play a role.

On the other hand, "there is no breed more dangerous than another", says Julie Chiron, coordinator of the expertise.

Not all humans are exposed the same.

"Young children, men and professions in frequent contact with dogs, and people using special function, guard and defense dogs, are more at risk than others", according to ANSES.

"Children detect stress signals emitted by a dog less well than adults," explains Julie Chiron, who specifies that boys under 15 are particularly concerned.

These stress signals can be "licking the nose, repetitive yawning, looking away, etc.", indicates ANSES.

The agency recommends to "create an observatory" of bites to have more data, to "strengthen the behavioral assessment" made in the event of a bite, at the request of the mayor or the prefect or for certain races, and to "increase the number of vets who can give it ", indicates Matthieu Schuler.

She also insists on the need to raise awareness of the needs of dogs.

© 2021 AFP