Survey of Effectiveness of Stray Animals' Killing on Animal Bites Incidence Rate

In recent years,cases of animal bites have increased in Iran. In addition,stray animals killing had upward trend,accordingly. The incidence rate of animal bites in Fereydunshahr is higher than the national average (499 vs. 188 per 100,000),it has great importance in this regard. Therefore killing of stray animals has constantly been the agenda of the relevant organs with a high cost,but does this program reduces the rates of animal bite? This study evaluated effectiveness of stray animals' Killing on animal bites incidence in Fereydunshahr (Isfahan,IRAN) in the last 18 years (2000-17).Materials, In this routine data base study,we followed 2339 cases of animal bites (using CENSUS method) that had been diagnosed,received Anti-Rabies vaccine during the studied period,as well as 2642 cases of animal waste. The data used in this study were collected from the township health center reports. Statistical computing was performed using SPSS software (ver. 19) at an error level of 5%. Pearson's Skewness coefficient showed that both the number of animal bites,also,killed animals have normal distribution. Given the existence of parametric conditions,normal distribution,variables independence,and the interval scale of both variables,Pearson Correlation coefficient test is used to investigate the relationship. Pearson correlation analysis did not show a significant correlation between stray animals' killing with animal bites incidence (P,0.74,ɤ,-0.023). Due to 84% of animal bite cases occurred by domestic dogs in the last 18 years,killing of stray animals not only had effect on reducing the incidence of animal bite cases,but also it increases the costs,immoral methods of animal killings. The plans such as training of dog-owners (to keep in fetters of the dogs),training of the population,especially schoolchildren,can be effective in domestic dog bites reduction.