Horses involved in most animal-related fatalities in Australia

In a nation known for having some of the world’s most fearsome creatures, Australia’s most dangerous animal might not be what you would expect.

Australia is home to more deadly snakes than any other country in the world. Its coastline is visited by fearsome sharks and the world’s largest reptile – the saltwater crocodile – lurks in creeks in the country’s north.

But a new report reveals one animal has caused more fatalities* in Australia than any other.

The National Coronial Information System (NCIS) Unit examined animal-related deaths between 2001 and 2021.

NCIS found horses were responsible for more human fatalities than any other animal in Australia, with more than 200 people losing their lives in a horse-related incident over a two decade* period.

Most fatalities were caused by the rider falling from the animal.

NCIS reported about 36 per cent of horse-related fatalities involved trail or general horseback riding and 15 per cent involved horse racing.

In total, the unit reported 713 animal-related fatalities in Australia over the two decades.

Most involved land mammals (505), including horses (222), cows or bulls (92), dogs (82) and kangaroos (53).

Most dog-related deaths were caused by bites or falls and were more likely to have involved people aged 65 and over.

Terriers, bull-mastiffs and rottweilers were the most common dog breeds involved in fatalities caused by bites, according to the unit’s findings.

The report also found all kangaroo-related deaths were due to vehicle incidents and almost half involved motorcyclists.

Males (68 per cent) were more likely to die from an animal-related incident, compared to females (32 per cent).

In the 20 year period, NCIS found all reptile and amphibian deaths were due to snakes (50) and crocodiles (25).

Most snake-related fatalities were caused by a venomous* snake, with 18 occurring in Queensland and 11 in NSW.

Snakes killed more people aged 65 years or older than any other age group.

The report found most people killed by a crocodile were swimming at the time of their death.

More people died from bee sting anaphylaxis* (45) compared to sharks, which caused 39 fatalities.

Fifteen people lost their lives to sharks in Western Australia over the 20 year period, followed by 10 in Queensland and nine in NSW.

There were no deaths recorded from spider bites over the 20 years.

POLL

GLOSSARY

• fatalities: deaths
• two decade: 20 years
• venomous: poisonous
• anaphylaxis: an allergic reaction where a person’s throat swells up and they can’t breathe

EXTRA READING
Famished frog feasts on snake
Teen finds snake in sister’s room
World’s largest croc dies in QLD

QUICK QUIZ
1. How many people died from incidents involving land mammals in Australia between 2001 and 2021?
2. What were most horse-related fatalities caused by?
3. Which three dog breeds were most commonly involved in fatalities caused by bites?
4. How many people died from spider bites in the 20 years to 2021?
5. Which state had the highest number of fatalities from shark attacks?

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1. News: condensed
Identify the most important pieces of information in this article and write a condensed version of it using 50 words or less.

Draw a picture or diagram to support your condensed news story.

Time: allow 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science

2. Extension
Compare your condensed news story with a classmate. Did you both include the same information or are your stories quite different? Discuss your choices and then work together to create a final condensed version of the story that you both agree tells the important parts that a reader would need or want to know.

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English

VCOP ACTIVITY
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Show you have read and understood the article by writing three sentences using the connectives “because’’, “and”, and “but” (BAB). Your sentences can share different facts or opinions, or the same ones but written about in different ways.