Dog Bite Fact Sheet
Dog Bite Prevention Tips
Each year in the U.S. there are more than 4 million dog bites. Children are the victims in about 60 percent of all bites. Letter carriers and delivery persons are also very likely to be bitten.
By following the guidelines outlined below, we can prevent most dog bites. Reducing the incidence of these bites in our community will require responsible pet ownership as well as appropriate conduct by people in the presence of dogs.
How to Avoid Being Bitten
Allow dogs their own space. Dogs who are sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies as a rule should not be disturbed because they could react with aggression to defend themselves, their food, or their offspring.
Avoid strange dogs. Because the temperament of a strange dog is not known, and because any fenced in or tied out dog is prone to protect its territory, it is best to leave such dogs alone.
Walk steadily past a dog. Because pursuing prey is a natural drive, running past or away from a dog will almost always excite the animal to chase you.
Remain still, silent and gaze at the sky. If you think a dog may attack you, remain motionless and quiet and look over the dog’s head until the dog leaves you. Then back slowly away until the dog is out of sight. Screaming and running excites the dog’s chase response and direct eye contact makes matters worse in this situation by challenging the dog’s dominance.
Protect yourself. If a dog does attack, "feed" him a purse, jacket, or anything else into which he can sink his teeth; and should you end up on the ground, curl into a ball and put your fists over your ears. Try to be still and quiet, as screaming and thrashing will further agitate the dog.
Educate your children. Use appropriate materials (some of which are available from Animal Control) to teach children how to behave safely in the presence of dogs.
How to Prevent Your Dog from Biting Someone
Spay or neuter your dog. Sterilized dogs are much less prone to bite and roam than intact ones.
Control your dog. An unfortunate incident can usually be prevented by properly confining or leashing your dog. When letter carriers or delivery persons come to your home, keep your dog inside, away from the door, or on a leash. Given that your dog’s instinct is to "protect" the family, don’t let your child take the mail from the letter carrier in the dog’s presence.
Socialize your dog. Dogs who are well socialized are much less likely to bite because they respond to people with confidence rather than out of fear. Avoid unusual situations unless your dog encounters diverse people and situations with confidence.
Teach your dog acceptable behaviors. Enroll in an obedience class, which teaches your dog to accept human leadership as well as good manners. (A list of these classes is available from Animal Control.) Don’t play games that encourage aggression, e.g., tug of war. Well-mannered dogs become devoted family members. They are not likely to develop behavior problems such as aggression and biting because they spend too much time outside by themselves.
Assume responsibility for behavior problems. Never just give away a dog with behavior problems such as biting or aggression. Consult your veterinarian, an animal behaviorist, or an obedience instructor regarding how to modify and manage these unacceptable behaviors. If you must give up your dog because its behavior problem has not been cured with professional help, please contact Animal Control.
What to do if a Bite Occurs
Confine the dog. A dog involved in a bite should be confined inside until Animal Control makes arrangements for the ten-day quarantine legally required to protect the public from rabies.
Obtain medical attention. Wash any wounds and see a physician. In the case of bites requiring immediate medical attention, an Animal Control warden will take a report from the victim at an emergency room or at their home after they have been treated.
Report the bite. A bite should be reported as soon as possible to Animal Control and it is a legal requirement that they be reported by attending physicians. An accurate description of the dog and its location will enable an Animal Control warden to contact the owner, quarantine the dog, and take other appropriate actions.
Last updated Oct. 20, 2011