Elmhurst Animal Care Center Blog

This week, May 20-26, is National Dog Bite Prevention week, an event hosted by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to help educate the public about the nearly 5 million dog bites that occur every year and how they can be prevented.

Did you know that according to the AVMA:

• 4.7 million people in this country are bitten by dogs every year
• children are by far the most common victims
• 800,000 Americans receive medical attention for dog bites each year
• children are far more likely to be severely injured; approximately 400,000 receive medical attention every year
• most dog bites affecting young children occur during everyday activities and while interacting with familiar dogs
• senior citizens are the second most common dog bite victims

The thing about dog bites is that many, if not most, are preventable. The AVMA has created a great public health bulletin with great tips and resources for people.

Because children are most at risk for bites you should never (ever, ever, ever!) leave a small child alone with a dog. Even if your dog is the world’s biggest softy, it’s never a good idea to leave him unattended with a child. Most dog bites happen while dogs and children are left alone together, even if it’s only for a few minutes.

It is always important to remember that any dog can bite; even the most friendly and well-trained – especially if they are injured or fearful. Proper training and socialization of puppies and dogs is crucial to avoiding dog bites.

According to veterinary behaviorist Sophia Yin DVM MS, “The consensus among animal behavior professionals is that the major cause of dog bites to humans is related to failure of owners and dog bite victims to recognize when dogs are fearful and know how to approach and greet dogs appropriately.”

This is why it’s so important to learn to recognize a dog’s body language. Dogs who are growling or baring their teeth are obvious dangers, but dogs who are nervous or frightened are just as likely to bite, if not more. The chart to the right offers a quick view of what to look for, but here’s a great article from the ASPCA for a more in depth description of how to interpret a dog’s body language to better be able to identify dogs who may pose a biting risk.

When approaching a dog, children (and adults) should use the acronym “WAIT” to remind themselves of proper doggie etiquette:

• W – Wait to see if the dog looks friendly. If the dog looks afraid or angry, STOP and walk away slowly.
• A – Ask the owner for permission to pet the dog. If the owner says no or there is no owner present, STOP and walk away slowly.
• I – Invite the dog to come to you to sniff you. Put your hand to your side with your fingers curled in. Stand slightly sideways and dip your head down so you are not looking directly at the dog. If the dog does not come over to sniff you, STOP and do not touch him.
• T – Touch the dog gently, petting him along his back while staying away from his head and tail.

Being respectful of a dog’s personal space is the bottom line. The more you invade that space, the more uncomfortable the dog will become and the more likely he is to bite. If we all follow these tips maybe we can stay a little safer around our best friends.