Who Let The Dogs Bite?

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	Bad Dogs
	Dog Bite Prevention Tips
	Behavior Tips Around Dogs
	8 Things That Might Cause A Dog To Bite
	What To Do If You Are Threatened By A Dog
	What To Do If You Are Bitten By A Dog
	Dog Links

Did You Know?

1. Children suffer 60% of all dog bites. (1)
2. 73% of children were bitten on the face, neck, or head. (1)
3. More than 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year. (1)
4. Dog bites cost over $1 billion a year, with insurance companies paying out $250 million in liability claims. (1)
5. Children are 900 times more likely to be bitten by dogs than mail carriers. (2)
6. Dog attacks account for one-third of all homeowner liability claims. (3)
7. Pit Bulls and Rottweilers are involved in over 50% of dog attacks. (4)
8. There is an 80% chance that a biting dog is male. (4)
9. 40% of all households own a dog. (4)
10. Dog bites occur more frequently during the summer months, on weekends and holidays. (5)
11. 65% of all bites take place while the animal is being fed, played with, teased, abused, or separated from another dog. (5)
12. 61% of all dog bites occur in or near the owner's home. (6)
13. Dog bites are the second most common cause of childhood emergency room injuries. (6)
14. The reported number of dog bites rose 36% from 1986 to 1996. (7)

(1) Kidsource.com
(2) US Post Office
(3) Western Insurance Information Services
(4) U.S. Humane Society
(5) Macedirect.com
(6) Journal of American Medical Association
(7) National Center for Injury Prevention and Safety

Bad Dogs

The following breeds of dogs were involved in the most dog bite fatalities in the U.S. from 1979 to 1998:

Dog breed and number of deaths.

1. Pit Bull -- 76
2. Rottweiler -- 44
3. German Shephard -- 27
4. Husky -- 21
5. Malamute -- 15
6. Wolf-Dog Hybrid -- 14
7. Mixed Breed -- 12
8. Chow-Chow -- 11
9. Doberman-Pinscher -- 9
10. Great Dane -- 8
11. St. Bernard -- 8

Dog Bite Prevention Tips

1. Make sure that your dog gets basic obedience training.
2. Understand the behavior of your dog breed.
3. Make sure your dog is in good health. A sick dog may attack because it is not feeling well.
4. Do not allow your dog to roam.
5. Correct aggressive or inappropriate behavior when it starts.
6. Spay or neuter your dog.
7. Do not play aggressive games with your dog or engage in contests that you might lose.
8. Make sure your dog is properly licensed and has received the necessary vaccination shots.
9. Do not allow your puppy to "chew" on your arms or hands.
10. Learn to read your dog's body language.
11. Do not try to intervene when two dogs are fighting.
12. Prevent dog-to-dog aggression by watching for behavior that precedes aggression, such as staring at each other.
13. Train and socialize your dog to be comfortable around children, friends, and neighbors.

Behavior Tips Around Dogs

1. Always ask for permission to pet a dog. If the owner says it is okay, pet the dog gently and slowly. Stand quietly and let the dog sniff the back of your hand.
2. Do not attempt to pet a dog that is behind a fence, tied up with a rope/chain, or in a parked car.
3. Do not approach stray or strange dogs.
4. Do not stare at a dog. Avoid eye contact.
5. Do not walk up behind a dog and pet it.
6. Never run past a dog or turn your back on a dog and run away.
7. Do not make fast or jerky movements, particularly toward a dog's head or eyes.
8. Never disturb a dog that is sleeping or eating, or a dog taking care of puppies.
9. Do not pet or pick up an injured dog without taking precautions.
10. Do not "sic" a dog on someone in play. The dog may think that it is alright to attack people at any time.
11. Do not put your face near a dog's mouth when you are playing.
12. Do not go into a house or yard where there is a dog and the owner is not home.
13. Teach children to be careful around dogs.

8 Things That Might Cause A Dog To Bite

1. They feel threatened or afraid.
2. They are protecting their territory, food, toys, family, or puppies.
3. They get excited.
4. They do not know you.
5. Their "chase response" is triggered.
6. They have been breed or trained to be aggressive.
7. They are in pain or irritated.
8. They are startled or surprised.

What To Do If You Are Threatened By A Dog

1. Stand very still and try to be very calm.
2. Be aware of where the dog is located. Do not turn your back on the dog and do not stare directly at the dog.
3. If the dog comes to sniff you, let it.
4. If you say anything, speak calmly and firmly.
5. Try to stay still until the dog leaves, then back away slowly until the dog is out of sight.
6. If a dog attacks, give it anything that may distract it from biting you.
7. If you fall or are knocked down, curl into a ball with your hands over your head and neck. Do not scream or roll around.

What To Do If You Are Bitten By A Dog

1. Get to a safe place, so the dog does not bite you again.
2. Children should tell their parents immediately.
3. Report all dog bites to the police or animal warden.
4. Go to the hospital for treatment.
5. Tell the police as much as you can about the dog. Describe the dog's color, size, other physical characteristics, where you last saw the dog, possible owner, or if you have seen the dog previously.

Dog Links

1. www.dogbreedinfo.com - Good site on dog breeds
2. www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dogbreeds.pdf - Center for Disease Control report on dog bite deaths for the past 20 years.
3. www.cyberpet.com/cyberdog/articles - Good articles on dog breeds and other dog related information.
4. www.avma.org - American Veterinary Medical Association website
5. www.aspca.org - American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals website. This site has several examples on how to help your dog receive proper training and care.
6. www.peteducation.com - Dr. Foster and Dr. Smith answer various questions about dogs.
7. www.dogproblems.com - How to properly train your dogs.
8. www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/1210 - (How to love your dog) - A kid's guide to dog care.
9. www.dogbitelaw.com - Dog bite statistics.