Any Dog Can Bite

 

More than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), with nearly 1 in 5 requiring emergency medical attention. As one might expect, children are the most common victims, accounting for at least half of all dog bites, and they are more likely to suffer severe injuries — especially to the head, face, and neck — as a result. What might be surprising is that most bites affecting young children occur while interacting with familiar dogs during everyday activities.

In a nation that keeps about 85 million dogs as pets (45% of households have more than one), the AVMA reminded everyone earlier this month during National Dog Bite Prevention Week that “dog bites pose a serious health risk to our communities and society.”

Any dog can bite: big or small, male or female, young or old. Even the cuddliest, fuzziest, sweetest pet can bite if provoked. Remember, it is not a dog’s breed that determines whether it will bite, but rather the dog’s individual history and behavior.

Most dog bites are preventable, and there are many things you can do at home and within your community to help prevent them.

 

There are several reasons why a dog can be provoked to bite:

If the dog finds itself in a stressful situation, it may bite to defend itself or its territory. Dogs can bite because they are scared or have been startled. They can bite because they feel threatened. They can bite to protect something that is valuable to them, like their puppies, their food or a toy.

Dogs might bite because they aren’t feeling well. They could be sick or sore due to injury or illness and might want to be left alone. Dogs also might nip and bite during play. Even though nipping during play might be fun for the dog, it can be dangerous for people. It’s a good idea to avoid wrestling or playing tug-of-war with your dog. These types of activities can make your dog overly excited, which may lead to a nip or a bite.

 

Successfully preventing dog bites requires education of families and dogs (providing ample opportunities for socialization of puppies is essential) and adequate supervision (never leave a small child and a dog alone together, even if it’s the family dog, a dog that is known to you, or a dog that you believe is well behaved). It’s also important for dog owners to recognize and remove their own dogs from stressful or threatening situations.

Teaching children to prevent dog bites begins with showing them how to respect animals’ space and needs and how to relate to them in a quiet, calm, gentle, loving way. They should learn how to avoid incidents at home with dogs they know…

• Never tease dogs by taking their toys, food, or treats, or by pretending to hit or kick.

• Never pull a dog’s ears or tail, and don’t drag, climb on, or try to ride dogs

• Don’t try to play dress up with the dog. Some dogs won’t like it.

• Leave dogs alone when they’re eating or sleeping.

• If a dog goes to bed or to their crate, don’t bother them. The bed or crate is the dog’s space to be left alone. A dog needs a comfortable, safe place where the child never goes. If you’re using a crate, it should be covered with a blanket and be near a family area, such as in your living room or another area of your home where the family frequently spends time. Note: don’t isolate your dog or their crate, or you may accidentally encourage bad behavior.

 

… and with dogs they don’t know:

• Stay away from dogs you don’t know. If you or your child sees an unknown dog wandering around loose and unsupervised, avoid the dog and consider leaving the area. Consider alerting animal control.

• Don’t ever pet a dog without asking first. Both adults and children should always ask the owner for permission to pet their dog, even if it’s a dog you know, or that has seemed friendly toward you before.

• Quietly walk away. When confronted by an aggressive dog, slow movements are best.

• Be a tree. Stand still if a dog comes after you, then take a defensive position. Stand quietly, with hands low and clasped in front. Remain still and keep your head down as if looking at your feet. If knocked down, cover your head and neck with your arms and curl into a ball.

• Avoid escalating the situation by yelling, running, hitting or making sudden movements toward the dog.

 

Anyone who suffers a dog bite should thoroughly clean the wound with soap and water as soon as possible and call their primary care physician for further instructions (an office visit or trip to the emergency department might be needed). Dog owners whose pets bite someone have a responsibility to immediately restrain and remove their dog from the situation and help the person who was bitten:

• Check on the bite victim’s condition.

• Make sure that the wounds are washed with soap and water.

• Encourage the bite victim to seek professional medical advice to check on the seriousness of the wound and the risk of rabies or other infections.

• Call 911 if a response by paramedics is needed.

• Provide important information.

• Give the bite victim – or others who are with the person at the time of the incident – your name, address and phone number, as well as information about your dog’s most recent rabies vaccination.

• Obey local rules and laws regarding reporting of dog bites.

• Talk to your veterinarian for advice about dog behavior that will help prevent similar incidents in the future.

 

AVMA has more information on how to prevent dog bites here. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers its own tips on prevention here.

 

source https://www.thepediablog.com/2023/04/24/any-dog-can-bite/