The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent, with rising temperatures and extreme weather events becoming more frequent. A recent study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) found that children born today will experience extreme heat seven times more often than those born in 1960. While the impact of climate change is widely known, researchers at Harvard Medical School (HMS) have discovered a new problem that is exacerbated by the increasing heatwaves – an increase in dog attacks.
According to a publication in the scientific journal Scientific Reports, dog bites increase significantly on hot and sunny days, as well as on days with higher levels of air pollution. Previous studies have shown that higher temperatures and increased air pollution lead to aggressive behavior in humans, Rhesus monkeys, rats, and mice. However, this is the first study to investigate whether such a trend also exists in dogs and their aggression towards humans.
The researchers, led by Clas Linnman, analyzed data on dog attacks from eight US cities, including Dallas, Houston, Baltimore, Baton Rouge, Chicago, Louisville, Los Angeles, and New York City, from 2009 to 2018. They examined whether there was a correlation between the frequency of dog bites and daily measurements of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone, temperature, UV radiation, and precipitation. The study found that the number of dog bites increased by 11% on days with stronger UV radiation, 4% on warmer days, and 3% on days with higher ozone levels. Conversely, the number of dog bites decreased by 1% on days with more precipitation. No change in the frequency of dog bites was observed on days with higher levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
While the study provides evidence of a link between higher temperatures and air pollution and aggressive behavior in dogs, further research is needed to confirm and investigate this relationship. As climate change continues to impact our environment, it is important to understand the potential consequences and take steps to mitigate them.
