Beware of the dog: you may catch MRSA

They might be man’s best friend, but dogs should be sold with a health warning, a study suggests.

Letting a dog lick your face, picking up its mess or allowing it to sleep on your bed could put you at risk of catching salmonella, campylobacter or MRSA.

Research commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) from the University of Liverpool Veterinary School, has identified health risks in the interaction between man and dog. The findings, published in The Veterinary Record, may enrage the country’s 6.5 million dog owners. Men, in particular, may have to learn cleaner habits because it seems they have a problem picking up dog mess.



Risks of infection from dog to Man at present are low. Carri Westgarth, a researcher on the project, insists that she has no wish to create a scare. Owning a dog has positive health benefits. People who walk them tend to be fitter and have lower blood pressure.

The research has irritated dog lovers. Caroline Kisko, secretary of the Kennel Club, said that Defra should be spending resources on policies to help to tackle animal welfare. She said: “It has told us nothing, except perhaps to use a bit of common sense.”

Carolyn Menteith, a dog behaviourist, was also dismissive. “You are more likely to catch a disease from a child than a dog. I do agree owners should clear up after their dogs, otherwise they cause a social nuisance. Men are worse at it and somehow think it’s unmanly to be walking around with a nappy sack. But if you can’t do that, don’t get a dog, get a stuffed toy.”