Dog Bite Prevention

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Every year more than four million people in the United States are bitten by dogs. Approximately 44,000 require emergency room treatment for facial injuries sustained as the result of a dog bite and at least a dozen people die. As astonishing as these statistics are, the numbers are underestimated. The reality is that countless more dog bites go unreported each year. Fortunately, there are dog bite prevention strategies that can help reduce risks and lower these numbers.

Some Do's and Don'ts of Dog Bite Prevention
Dog bite prevention is key to reducing the number of injuries suffered by victims every year. The following are some do's and don'ts of dog bite prevention:

Do's of Dog Bite Prevention
Spay or neuter your dog
Train your dog
Teach your dog appropriate behavior
Socialize your dog
Be a responsible dog owner
Be on the lookout for potentially dangerous situations
Remain calm if threatened by a dog
Avoid eye contact with a strange dog

Don'ts of Dog Bite Prevention
    • Hold your face near a dog
      Allow your dog to roam unleashed
      Approach a strange dog
      Startle or tease a dog
      Disturb a dog that is eating, sleeping, or nursing
      Turn away or run if you are threatened by a dog
      Leave a child alone with a dog
      Ignore warning signs of aggressive behavior
      Forget to license and vaccinate your dog

      Children and Dog Bite Prevention

      An estimated half of all dog bite victims every year are under the age of 13. Moreover, children have a much greater chance – approximately threefold – of sustaining serious injury from a dog bite. The following are a few tips for dog bite prevention in children :

  • Have your child ask permission before petting a strange dog.
    Show your child how properly to approach a dog.
    Teach your child how to spot an aggressive, frightened, or angry dog.
    Encourage your child to report unusual dog behavior to an adult.

    loved ones are safe in the presence of any dog – strange or familiar.
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