Dogs Hit By Motor Vehicles Is The Leading Cause Of Trauma Injuries And Death According To PupLight(R)

Main Category: Veterinary
Article Date: 30 Sep 2009 - 0:00 PST

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

As autumn leaves begin to fall, and the days become shorter, veterinarians are once again bracing for the annual increase in the number of dogs requiring costly treatment after being hit by motor vehicles. According to Jackie Simoni, inventor and president of PupLight® , the most highly-acclaimed product developed to ensure canine safety by "lighting the way" and making dogs more visible at night, PupLight addresses a serious threat for dogs that all too often suffer trauma injuries or death when hit by motor vehicles, heart-breaking accidents that soar dramatically in the fall and winter months.

Citing data from the American Veterinarian Hospital Association, and other sources, Mrs. Simoni today announced that the danger rises for both "fido" and their "guardians" during the months of October, November, and December.

The Threat Is Real

While no organization compiles national data on the number of trauma injuries, or the incidents of death among America's 74.8 million canine companions, there are studies that address the seriousness of the issue. For example, the nation's oldest and largest provider of pet insurance, Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (VPI), released an analysis of 5,000 claims that were filed in 2008 in a report in May 2009. The data revealed that "being hit by a car" was the top cause of serious bone fractures in a review of insurance claims.

According to Brian Iannessa, a VPI spokesman, "Besides being the leading cause of broken bones, fracture claims for dogs accounted for 40 percent of the cases." When a dog is hit by a motor vehicle, minor fractures result in costs ranging from $1,500 to $3,000, and in some cases, significantly more.

"Broken bones are painful for pets, and costly for pet owners," said Dr. Carol McConnell, vice president and chief veterinary medical officer for VPI. "Injury prevention includes careful management of a pet's environment by removing possible threats and by eliminating situations that might put pets at risk. To prevent accidents or injuries caused by moving vehicles, pets should be kept on a leash at all times."

In a frequency study (n = 970 dogs) of trauma injuries conducted by the University of Pennsylvania Animal Hospital, being hit by a car was found to be the leading cause of injuries. Of 970 cases, 616, or 53.2 percent, were attributed to dogs being hit by vehicles. In yet another study involving (n = 129) cases conducted by the University of Georgia Small Animal Teaching Hospital, the incidence of dogs being hit by vehicles topped the list. A total of 69 dogs, or 53.5 percent, were attributed to trauma caused by being hit by a motor vehicle.

PupLight Responds With A Novel Solution

Based on scientific data, and later from an outpouring of testimonials from customers who have purchased PupLight, Mrs. Simoni knew her invention would address an un-met need in the burgeoning pet industry. While optimistic, she emphasizes that millions of dogs remain at risk and could be protected with PupLight if worn after dark.

Looking to the future, Mrs. Simoni affirms that PupLight is dedicated to playing an important role in preventing accidents through public education and by sales of the highly acclaimed illumination features unique to PupLight.

"As a life-time dog lover I developed PupLight to fill a void in the pet industry," said Mrs. Simoni. "Based on customer feedback, we know that this product is providing peace-of-mind for dog lovers and keeping dogs safe. While we are still in the introductory stage of educating the public about the benefits of providing reliable pet visibility at night, we have also forged ahead with the development of a companion product. For kids and people of all ages, NekLight™ provides added protection at dusk or after dark."

"PupLight makes a dog, and the dog walker, visible to traffic , and allows the dog walker to see ahead and spot potential hazards," said Mrs. Simoni. "When a dog is wearing PupLight, the pet is much safer on or off a leash."

Source
PupLight®

• Additional
• References
• Citations