Dog ownership has become increasingly common, he noted, with about half of U.S. households having at least one dog. The pandemic contributed to the spike. Staying safe when walking a leashed dog takes diligence, focus and, in inclement weather, extra precautions. Multitasking can be hazardous. Put your phone away.

There’s a lot of joy in having a dog, not the least of which is heading out for a brisk walk. And therein lies a peril some dog people should pay more attention to.

Fractures, sprains and head trauma were the most prevalent injuries from 2001 to 2020 for owners of canine fur babies, with the estimated number of adults visiting emergency rooms increasing from 7,300 to 32,300, according to lead researcher Ridge Maxson.

Dog walking-related injuries have been on the rise in the U.S. Fractures, sprains and head trauma are among the most common.