April 8, 2021 | April 11 through the 17th is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that there are nearly 77 million dogs living in U.S. households. While some dogs may pose a risk to adults and children alike, the AVMA says that the majority of dog bites, if not all of them, are preventable if precautions are followed. In 2017 alone, there were nearly 350,000 people treated in emergency rooms for non-fatal dog-related injuries. Of those injured, nearly 10,600 were children two years old or younger. In 2018, American insurers paid $675 million in claims related to dog bites, according to estimates from the Insurance Information Institute. Dog bites are a serious public health problem that inflicts considerable physical and emotional damage on victims. Bites have been tolerated as a job-related hazard for utility and postal workers, but for many communities the problem may be more encompassing.

April 8, 2021 | Dog bites pose a serious health risk to our communities and society. More than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, and more than 800,000 receive medical attention for dog bites, based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics. At least half of those bitten are children. Almost one in five people who are bitten by dogs will require medical attention, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Children are the most common victims of dog bites and are far more likely to be severely injured. Most dog bites affecting young children occur during everyday activities and while interacting with familiar dogs. You should be aware that 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.

April 8, 2021 | Have you or any member of your family ever suffered a dog bite and wondered why the incident occurred? Dogs bite humans or other animals for a variety of reasons, but most commonly as a reaction to something. 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 also 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 pet. These types of activities can make your dog overly excited, which may lead to a potentially dangerous nip or a bite.

April 8, 2021 | If you or someone you know suffers a dog bite, the first thing you should do is wash the wound gently with soap and water, then apply an antibiotic cream or ointment and cover the bite with a clean bandage. If the skin is torn, crushed or bleeding significantly, apply pressure with a bandage or clean cloth to stop the bleeding. Be sure to keep the wound elevated above your heart to prevent any swelling or infection. You should call a physician if the bleeding doesn’t stop after 15 minutes of pressure or you think there is a possibility of a broken bone or nerve damage. It’s a good idea to call a physician if you are bitten by a wild or stray dog or bitten by a pet whose vaccination status is unknown. If your last tetanus shot was more than five years ago, your physician may recommend a booster shot, particularly if the wound is deep or dirty. Stitches may be required to close the wound. However, open wounds often heal faster and are less likely to get infected.

April 8, 2021 | To help prevent potential injuries from a dog bite, you should choose your family pet carefully and be sure to keep their vaccinations up to date. Never leave a young child alone with a pet as he or she may not know how to be gentle with the pet. This can cause the pet to get mad and bite. Don’t try to separate fighting animals as you may get bit in the process. Socialization is a good way to help prevent your dog from biting. Socializing your pet helps your dog feel at ease in different situations. By introducing your dog to people and other animals while it’s a puppy, it feels more comfortable in different situations as it gets older. Reading a dog’s body language also can be helpful. Just like people, dogs rely on body gestures, postures and vocalizations to express themselves and communicate. While we can’t always read a dog’s body language accurately, it can give us helpful clues as to whether a dog is feeling stressed, frightened, or threatened.