Dogs Worldwide

Figures I have for America show that four and a half million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, and one in five dog bites results in injuries that require medical attention, and there is no reason to assume that the rate is not similar in other developed countries. But there are ways to make dog bites less likely and to help prevent children from being bitten by dogs.

It did not really surprise me to learn that children are more likely than adults to receive medical attention from dog bits than are adults. The good news, however, is that this rate seems to be on the decrease.

Again it didn’t come as a surprise to learn that of adults bitten the biggest majority were male.

Among children and adults, having a dog in the household is associated with a higher incidence of dog bites. As the number of dogs in the home increases, so does the incidence of dog bites. Adults with two or more dogs in the household are five times more likely to be bitten than those living without dogs at home.

Dog bites are a largely preventable public health problem, and adults and children can learn to reduce their chances of being bitten.

Before you bring a dog into your household:

* Consult with a professional (e.g., veterinarian, animal behaviorist, or responsible breeder) to learn what breeds of dogs are the best fit for your household.
* Dogs with histories of aggression are not suitable for households with children.
* Be sensitive to cues that a child is fearful or apprehensive about a dog. If a child seems frightened by dogs, wait before bringing a dog into your household.
* Spend time with a dog before buying or adopting it. Use caution when bringing a dog into a household with an infant or toddler.

If you decide to bring a dog into your home:

* Spay/neuter your dog (this often reduces aggressive tendencies).
* Never leave infants or young children alone with a dog.
* Don’t play aggressive games with your dog (e.g., wrestling).
* Properly socialize and train any dog entering your household. Teach the dog submissive behaviors (e.g., rolling over to expose the abdomen and giving up food without growling).
* Immediately seek professional advice (e.g., from veterinarians, animal behaviorists, or responsible breeders) if the dog develops aggressive or undesirable behaviors.

To help prevent children from being bitten by dogs, teach the following basic safety tips and review them regularly:

* Do not approach an unfamiliar dog.
* Do not run from a dog or scream.
* Remain motionless (e.g., “be still like a tree”) when approached by an unfamiliar dog.
* If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still (e.g., “be still like a log”).
* Do not play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.
* Immediately report stray dogs or dogs displaying unusual behavior to an adult.
* Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.
* Do not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
* Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
* If bitten, immediately report the bite to an adult.

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 18th, 2009 at 20:42 and is filed under Resources. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.