Human-animal interactions provide benefits to human health and wellbeing but can also result in injuries. This report describes patterns and trends in hospitalised injury cases due to contact with animals between July 2012 and June 2022 across Australia. It describes who is commonly injured and the types of animals causing the injuries.
- Cat. no: INJCAT 237
Findings from this report:
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Common pets caused most injuries overall, with crude rates per 100,000 persons of 47.5 in 2021-22, from 18.9 in 2012-13
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The highest rate of injury was among 45–64 year-olds, 110 cases per 100,000
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Australians are 6.6 times as likely to be hospitalised due to injury involving non-venomous compared to venomous animals
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The commonest injuries were open wounds and fractures. The commonest body parts injured were upper limbs (nearly half)