The Centers for Disease Control estimates that there are 4.5 million dog bites in the United States each year. Approximately 800,000 victims require medical attention, with 350,000 of those victims making a trip to the emergency room.Over 50 percent of dog bites are inflicted on children 12 years of age and under. Education is the best prevention for dog bites, whether to a child or an adult. Knowing what to do if you see a dog attack or are being attacked can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury. Here are a few quick rules of thumb:
- Never treat a dog unkindly (sounds obvious to adults, but
- kids may think pulling a tail or ear is funny).
- Don’t bother a dog when it’s busy eating, playing with a
- toy, sleeping, or tending to puppies.
- Never approach an unfamiliar dog in any environment.
- If a loose dog approaches you, stand completely still, keep
- your hands by your side, stay quiet, and look away from the
- dog.
- Parents, supervise your children when near a dog.
