Understanding Dog Bites and How to Prevent Them
There’s no doubt about it: dogs are one of the most popular types of pets. According to the 2017–2018 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 60.2 million households in the United States have at least one dog. With so many dogs around, it’s very likely that you’ll encounter dogs at one time or another, whether you own a dog or not.
Nobody ever wants to think that their beloved family pet would ever hurt someone, but the simple fact of the matter is that dogs can — and do — bite. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that over 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs every year and about 800,000 of those people require medical attention as a result. In theory, anyone can potentially become a dog bite victim, but children and senior citizens are statistically most likely to be seriously injured by a dog bite.
When people think about dog bites, they often think that they tend to involve dogs that the victim didn’t know, like a stray dog. But this actually isn’t the case. Only about 10–20% of all reported dog bites involve dogs the victim didn’t know, so the vast majority of dog bites involve dogs the victim had met before.
How Dog Owners Can Prevent Dog Bites
Dog owners have a lot of power to help prevent dog bites. Keeping dogs leashed while in public and making sure your yard is securely fenced in are both excellent ways to start, but there’s still more that can be done. Taking your dogs on walks and bringing them to the dog park not only gives them a way to exercise and have fun, it helps socialize them so they can learn how to react to being around new people and dogs.
As a dog’s owner, it’s also important that you’re able to recognize the signs that your dog is uncomfortable so that you can quickly remove them from the situation. Even a dog that’s normally very well-behaved can still lash out if it’s in a situation where they feel intimidated, threatened, or overwhelmed.
Understanding When a Dog Might Attack
There are certain circumstances when dogs are simply more likely to be aggressive, such as if they’re sick, eating, or taking care of puppies. In these sorts of cases, it’s best to make sure other people don’t bother your dog. Young children in particular should not be left alone with dogs in these situations. But these are far from being the only times when a dog might bite. Dog owners know their dog’s personality best and should have a good understanding of the things that stress their pet out.
Dogs are often show discomfort through body language. If a dog has tense muscles, a stiff tail, a strong stare, pulled back ears, and/or a furrowed brow, those are all telltale signs they could attack. A dog’s eyes can also be a very strong indicator of how they feel. Dogs that are likely to attack often roll their eyes so that you can see the whites of their eyes. Stressed dogs also often start yawning, so if you see this along other signs that the dog might be upset, don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s tired.
What to Do If You Think a Dog Might Bite
Encountering a dog that seems likely to attack or bite can be very scary. Your first instinct might be to run away as quickly as possible. Actually, the best thing you can do is remain as quiet and still as possible — running away or making a lot of noise will likely only provoke the dog more. Wait for the dog to lose interest before slowly moving away from the situation. If the dog bites you, try to give it something like a jacket or a bag to distract it and try to remain standing. Should the dog knock you onto the ground, curl into a ball, cover your ears with your hands, and stay still.
What to Do After a Dog Bite
Right after a dog bite, it’s important to evaluate the extent of your injuries. In many cases, dog bites only cause very minor injuries that don’t significantly break the skin. These types of wounds should be cleaned, bandaged, and treated with an antibiotic ointment. For injuries that are more severe, seek medical treatment right away, particularly if the injuries are to your head, face, neck, or shoulders. You should also be sure to see a doctor if you have a medical condition that makes you more susceptible to infection or would make it more difficult for you to heal.
If you know who the owner of the dog is, get their contact information (if you don’t already have it) and ask them if the dog is up to date on its vaccinations. If you were bitten by a stray dog, do not try to catch it. Contact your local Animal Control department, tell them where the dog was last seen, and describe the dog to them.
