Dog Bite Prevention

Dogs are wonderful pets and can be a valued member of your family. But all dogs have the capacity to bite. Dog bites account for approximately 1% of all emergency room visits, and every 40 seconds someone seeks medical attention due to a dog bite. May 20-26th was dog bite prevention week, and we would like to discuss some basic safety and dog behavior tips to try to avoid injury. Dogs might bite when threatened, afraid, and excited, in pain, angered, or protecting territory. Dogs can be bred to be aggressive as well. Children are at a higher risk for injury since they may not be able to read a dog's early warning signs and are more prone to behaviors, which can alarm or scare a dog.

• Children should never be allowed near a dog without supervision, even your own pet.

• Never pet a strange dog without permission or go near a dog you don't know.

• Never go near a strange dog while they are eating, or have a bone in their mouth.

• Never stare at a dog. If the dog looks like it might bite, command it to sit, stay, or say "no" in a deep, loud firm voice.

• Do not run, as this will cause an instinctual chase response.

• Never pet a dog without letting them sniff you first.

• Always be gentle with dogs; do not engage in horseplay, wrestling, or tug of war.

• Never go into a house or yard with a dog without the owner present.

• Do not pick up or pet an injured dog without precautions. Even your own dog could bite if hurt. Be careful, move slowly, and try muzzling the dog loosely with a leash or rope. If you see an injured dog, it is best to find an animal control or police officer to assist in aiding the pet.

• Never allow your pet to "play bite". It is always wrong for a dog to touch a person with their teeth.

• Never put your face or neck near a dog's mouth.

Some signs that a dog may bite are:

1) the dog is standing stiff and tall with hackles up

2) it may stare at you

3) its tail maybe stiff and in the air or wagging very fast while stiff

4) growling, snarling, barking, and showing its teeth

5) a dog could bite with no signals at all.

If you or a child is bitten, no matter how minor, the bite should be reported to the police and/or animal control agency. You should go to the hospital for treatment, and try to remember where the dog was and what it looked like to try to find it and the owner.

To find more information about preventing dog bites, go to the humane society website at www.hsus.org