According to national statistics, almost half of all American households have at least one dog. Although many of these furry friends are friendly and loving pets, there are still almost 4.5 million people who are victims of dog bites every year. About 800,000 of those victims need medical attention for their injuries. Half of those victims are children.
How can you prevent becoming a dog bite victim?
There are many reasons why a dog will bite, most of them associated with the dog feeling threatened. Keeping that in mind, it is important to follow these tips:
- Learn dog behavior: There are certain signs a dog will often give that indicates they may attack. If a dog puts their ears back, begins cowering, puts their tails between their legs, or bares their teeth, they are letting you know they are feeling frightened, stressed, or threatened.
- Avoiding situations: There are certain situations that make a dog more likely to react and bite, such as if they are eating, sleeping, injured, or sick. A dog may also react if they playing with a toy and feel possessive, just as a female dog may react if they are protecting their puppies. If a dog begins barking or growling, that’s an indicator to avoid entering that dog’s space.