The total biomass of domestic dogs is equivalent to the combined biomass of all land-dwelling mammal species [1]. While domestic dogs are widely regarded as loyal companions, guides, therapeutic aids, and valuable allies to humans [2], interactions with dogs—particularly stray dogs—remain a global concern due to public safety issues and the potential for attacks [3]. Freely roaming owned, stray, and feral dogs can significantly affect animal populations in natural habitats. These dogs present multiple threats to wildlife, including competition [4], increased mortality, and predation [5].

Animal bites, a common cause of primary and emergency care for both adults and children, pose significant risks to human health. These injuries not only cause physical trauma but also carry a high potential for infection, further complicating treatment and contributing to morbidity and mortality [6]. Alarmingly, there has been a rising trend in fatal dog attacks across Europe in recent years [7]. It was estimated by Weber et al. (1991) that approximately 300 to 700 animal bite incidents occur annually per 100,000 population [8]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are no global estimates for the incidence of dog bites. However, research indicates that dog bites result in tens of millions of injuries each year [9].

The Russian Federation, with its vast territory spanning 17.1 million square kilometers and a population of approximately 146 million, is home to diverse ecosystems that support a wide array of wildlife and domestic animals. Among these, stray dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) have emerged as a growing concern, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas [10, 11]. Unlike large carnivores such as bears and wolves, which are largely confined to wilderness regions and are the focus of extensive conservation efforts, stray dogs thrive in human-dominated environments. In some cases, stray dogs form packs and display behaviors reminiscent of their wild ancestors, such as territoriality and predatory instincts [12,13,14]. Vulnerable populations, including children [15,16,17,18] and the elderly [5, 19], are particularly at risk during such incidents.

Efforts to manage stray dogs in Russia have evolved significantly over time. Historically, humane irrevocable capture methods helped reduce dog-related injuries. For instance, until 2014, these methods were used alongside other measures, leading to a gradual decline in emergency room visits related to animal bites. However, with the banning of these practices and the exclusive reliance on a Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) policy, known as the OSV (Отлов-Стерилизация-Возврат) program, dog attacks increased by 9.2% by 2015 [20]. Public fear and frustration with the growing stray dog population led citizens to resort to unauthorized and inhumane methods, such as poisoning, as widely reported in the media by 2017 [21].

Despite efforts such as the Moscow Government’s Decree on TNR policies in 2022 (No. 819-PP), these challenges persist, underlining the need for more robust and adaptive management strategies. In 2019, Russian media frequently reported on proposed legislation to introduce taxes on domestic animals, purportedly set to be enacted in 2020. According to sources, the primary aim of this initiative was to enhance the welfare of domestic animals nationwide. However, critics contended that such measures might have the opposite effect, potentially exacerbating the issue of stray animals in the country [22].

Fatal dog attacks, although alarming, remain underreported and understudied in the Russian Federation. Research from other regions highlights factors such as environmental conditions, human behaviors, and stray dog population dynamics as contributors to such incidents. Effective control measures, including sterilization programs, public awareness campaigns, and improved waste management systems, have been shown to mitigate risks in similar contexts. However, comprehensive data specific to the Russian Federation is limited, particularly regarding fatal encounters, with media content often serving as the primary source of information on such events [23,24,25].

This paper aims to address a critical gap in the understanding of fatal stray dog attacks in the Russian Federation by presenting a detailed case report of an incident in the Greater Moscow region, as documented by the Moscow Regional Research and Clinical Institute and the Department of Forensic Medicine at I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University. By examining the circumstances, forensic findings, and contributing factors surrounding this event, the study aims to advance knowledge on human-stray dog interactions in urban contexts.

This case involves a fatal attack on a 77-year-old man in the city of S., Moscow region, in November 2021. The incident occurred near the entrance of a building, where a stray dog attacked a female caretaker. The details of the event were established through video footage from the building’s CCTV system, which, incidentally, recorded the attack on the man by a single dog.

At 15:19:10, the woman was seen attempting to defend herself by hitting a roaming stray dog with a broom. At 15:19:35, the man (victim) entered the scene and was immediately attacked by the dog, which bit his right forearm. At this point, the woman continued trying to fend off the dog with the broom. At 15:20:13, all individuals disappeared from the camera’s view.

At 15:21:45, the dog reappeared, dragging the man into the camera’s field of view while continuing to bite down on the man’s forearm. The man attempted to defend himself again, and at 15:21:52, the dog bit the man in the neck, after which both the dog and the man vanished from the camera’s sight.

At 15:22:39, the woman reappeared, attempting to strike the dog with the broom. During this time, the dog was still clamping onto the man’s hand. By 15:24:44, the dog continued to bite the man’s hand, and at 15:25:22, the man was seen lying on the ground, bloodied, while the dog continued to attack his head and body. Throughout this period, the woman repeatedly tried to defend the man by striking the dog with the broom, pouring water on it, and attempting to cover it with a blanket.

At approximately 15:30:00, the man lost consciousness whilst the dog continues to bite and tear at his body, while pulling off his clothing until 15:33:00. From 15:33:00 to 15:59:53, the dog intermittently appeared and disappeared, circling the man. The footage ended at 15:59:59.

The data for this case report were retrospectively collected from medical case files and forensic reports obtained from the Moscow Regional Research and Clinical Institute and the Department of Forensic Medicine at I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University. The investigation protocol received approval from the local Ethics Committee (number 04–24, dated 21/01/2024). A medico-legal autopsy was conducted in November 2021, approximately 20 h post-mortem, following the discovery of the deceased victim.

In the Russian Federation, forensic investigations follow standardized procedures to determine the nature of injuries and their mechanisms. The forensic pathology department performs comprehensive examinations, including the study of the skull, bones, and other biological materials from the deceased. Additionally, clothing with blood traces is analyzed to understand the formation of these patterns.

The victim presented with multiple through-and-through tears in his clothing across various surfaces of the body, characterized by frayed, uneven edges with pointed ends. Numerous lacerations and avulsions of varying depths and lengths were observed, consistent with sharp trauma, primarily concentrated on the right side (Fig. 1). The deceased’s identity was confirmed through visual identification by relatives.

Two primary wound types were identified: deep lacerations and puncture wounds consistent with canine clawing and biting. In the craniofacial region, multiple deep lacerations were noted, accompanied by extensive skin avulsions (Fig. 2). Severe trauma to both the right external and internal jugular veins was observed, likely resulting in significant hemorrhage and representing the principal cause of death (Fig. 2D). Additionally, damage to the right inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage was documented (Fig. 3).

External examination of the victim with various type of wounds varying in size, length, and depth in both right (A) and left (B) side of the body

Overview of craniofacial injuries in the victim (A), including the deep skin avulsion on the left parietal skull area (B) and zygoma area (C). Deep lacerations were also observed in the sternocleidomasteoid region with severed external and internal jugular veins (D)

Damage to the right inferior horn of the thyroid bone due to trauma

Multiple stab-like wounds were identified on both the left and right hands. These injuries were consistent with the inter-canine distance characteristic of bites inflicted by a carnivorous animal, accompanied by significant soft tissue damage and comminuted fractures of the left and right radius and ulna (Fig. 4). Analysis of CCTV footage confirmed that these wounds resulted from the dog’s claws and bites. However, due to the presence of avulsion injuries, it was not possible to reliably identify a definitive bite mark, as the full curvature and corresponding tooth pattern were not clearly imprinted on the wounds.

Severe lacerations and puncture wounds (red arrow) observed in both right (A, B) and left (C, D) hand

Further examination of the body revealed multiple abrasions and contusions, with several irregularly shaped bruises and abrasions observed on the lower extremities. On the anterior surface of the left shin, at the middle third, a cluster of abrasions and superficial wounds arranged in two arc-like formations was noted, with the convexity oriented laterally. The pattern and distribution of these abrasions were consistent with bite marks.

The fatal injuries were attributed to multiple contused-lacerated wounds involving the soft tissues of the head, neck, and trunk. Extensive vascular trauma was also identified in the left brachial artery and vein, as well as in the subcutaneous veins of both upper limbs. The internal examination revealed severe anemia in the internal organs, indicative of significant blood loss prior to death, with histological examinations of various organs to confirm these findings (Fig. 5).

Histological findings on the autopsy. A. Myocardium, fragmentation of cardiomyocytes indication of acute blood loss, B. Lung, mild microcirculatory disorders wit collagenized alveoli and perivascular proliferation, C. Kidney, anemia of the medulla, D. Brain, sclerotic and edematous pia matter indicative of cerebral edema

Taken together, these injuries are most consistent with claw and bite wounds inflicted by an animal, particularly a carnivore. While the severity and pattern of the injuries strongly suggest a dog attack, the identification of the animal was primarily supported by the CCTV footage. It is important to note that, in the absence of CCTV footage and eyewitness testimony, the distribution of these wounds alone would not have allowed for a definitive identification of the dog responsible and could have raised doubts regarding the specific cause of the trauma.