It seemed common to believe that having and walking a dog was good for older people. Dogs are great companions and provide a excuse to go for a walk and get a of exercise. However, new research shows that taking the dog for a walk can have its for seniors. A report published in the American medical 'JAMA Surgery' says injuries among related to dog-walking are becoming increasingly prevalent. From 2004 to 2017, researchers calculated that there were over 32,000 of people in the USA aged 65 and over suffering attributed to walking their dog. Some of the injuries were serious and required the senior to undergo emergency .
The researchers advised the to consider the dangers to owning and walking a dog. They said: "For older - especially those living and with decreased bone density - the risks associated with walking leashed dogs merit consideration." They added: "Even one injury could result in a potentially hip fracture, lifelong complications, or the of their independence." Lead researcher Dr Jaimo Ahn blamed what he termed as a "small person/big dog" for many of the accidents. He said a dog is sometimes mismatched with its owner's and strength to handle it. One elderly dog owner said: "Old people need dogs. We need our mates.