Tag Archives: dog bites

General Safety Issues

WHY DO DOGS BITE AND HOW CAN YOU AVOID AN ATTACK? (GUEST POST)

By Carlos Santiago

Nearly 80 million dogs are owned by U.S. residents. Of these, a majority are well-trained, submissive dogs that are playful, loving, and generally friendly, though there are certain dogs that are more aggressive and tend to be involved in more dog attacks annually. However, depending on the dog and situation, any dog could become aggressive and attack. And, while it is generally a dog owner’s responsibility to restrain their dog and make sure they cannot cause other people harm, knowing why dogs tend to bite and how to avoid these attacks can be extremely helpful should a person find themselves in a situation where they may be attacked by a dog.

Certain dog breeds seem to have more aggressive tendencies, while others may become aggressive under duress. Across the board, some of the most common reasons dogs attack others include the following:

  • Fear – if a dog is worried that it is going to be hurt or that it is in harm’s way, it may become aggressive and more likely to bite. What is important to remember about this type of aggression is that it is based on the dog’s perception of a situation, rather than what may actually be happening. An example of this is when a person tries to pet a dog, but the dog believes the person is going to hit them, thus causing the dog to bite the person.
  • Protection – if a dog believes that it is in harm’s way, or that its owner is, the dog may respond with aggression. This also extends to property that the dog views as belonging to it, such as its yard, bed, or crate. In this situation, the dog may be exercising its dominance and ownership of something or some place.
  • Redirected aggression – when a dog is unable to or believes that it is unable to attack another party, it may direct that aggression towards another party that it believes it can dominate or attack.

All of these factors will depend on the individual dog, however. If a dog tends to be more aggressive in general, these situations will likely provoke a dog more easily into biting a person. While it’s not always possible to avoid being in situations where a dog might become aggressive, there are certain things a person can do to try and avoid being the victim of a dog bite or attack, including:

  • Stay away from unknown dogs
  • Avoid making direct eye contact with a dog
  • Try to stay as still as possible
  • Do not immediately pet a dog without letting it approach you and smell you first

Unfortunately, millions of people are bitten by dogs every year, often causing victims to suffer serious injuries. In such a situation, a person may choose to take legal action with the help of a dog bite lawyer in order to get their medical bills and other losses covered.

 

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

NO MORE DOG BITES, PLEASE!

1 Comment

In the United States last year, 4.7 million people were bitten by dogs, with children being by far the most common victims, and the most likely to be severely injured.    Over 800,000 Americans receive medical attention for dog bites annually – with 400,000 victims being children.  The U.S. Postal Service reports that around 2,500 mail carriers are included in those statistics.  The next-most common victims of dog bites are senior citizens.  The American Veterinary Medical Association is teaming up with the U.S. Postal Service and American Academy of Pediatrics to sponsor the 18th annual National Dog Bite Prevention Week, (May 14-20),  in hopes of educating the public on how best to prevent dog bites. 

A dog’s mouth can deliver from 150 to 450 pounds of pressure.  Imagine if the mouth with its strong sharp teeth is latched on your arm or your leg. A dog’s bite can cause deep punctures and big lacerations. It can also cause broken bones and may damage the muscles and the tendons.  Naturally, these kinds of wounds would bleed profusely.  That is why it is so important to understand the importance of preventing dog bites. 

Here are some interesting facts from experts that will help us understand the nature of dogs, and what may cause them to bite, particularly, a child.

  • Children are dog height, and may be loud and unpredictable.  When a child screams and runs, it may seem like prey to a dog.
  • If dogs are not socialized around children, they are often less tolerant and can be caught off guard by their behaviors.  Carefully select your pet, and make sure it is socialized as a young puppy so it is at ease with other people and animals.
  • Dogs have some degree of tolerance, but may reach their threshold of patience quickly.  Do not tease them.
  • Human behaviors that children may do around dogs, i.e., hug, kiss, and make eye contact are offensive to dogs, especially if they do not know the child.
  • Signs of discomfort by a dog are: turning away, yawning, licking their lips, ears back, hair bristled up, then a growl or snap. 

Here are some basic safety tips to teach and review with your children often.  It’s good advice for adults, as well:

  • Do not scream or run from a dog – remain motionless when approached by an unfamiliar dog.
  • Do not approach an unfamiliar dog.
  • Do not approach a dog that is alone in a fence, car, or on a chain. If you own a dog, be sure the fenced yard and gates are secure.
  • Do not play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.
  • Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.
  • Do not bother a dog that is eating, sleeping, or taking care of puppies.
  • Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
  • If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still (e.g., “be still like a log”).
  • Try to throw a jacket, purse, or anything to distract him from you in the event of being attacked. 
  • Treat your pet with respect.
  • Never leave a small child alone with a dog.
  • Dogs must be vaccinated regularly.  Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system when bitten by a rabid animal.  Vaccination is a simple way to protect your pets and family.

When someone is bitten by a dog, here’s what to do:

  1. If the dog’s owner is present, request proof of rabies vaccination, and get the owner’s name and contact information.
  2. Clean the bite wound with soap and water as soon as possible.
  3. Consult your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if it’s after office hours.
  4. Contact the dog’s veterinarian to check vaccination records.

It is important to distribute this information to the public; however, please don’t get the idea that all dogs bite!  There are around 67 million great dogs out there!  It’s up to owners to teach them how to socialize, to see that they are spayed or neutered, and keep their shots current.  They make wonderful companions, and love their owners unconditionally.  I can’t imagine life without a dog.   Appreciate your pets and train your dogs to behave!  Most important of all, monitor your dog when children are around.  No one wants to see anyone suffer from a dog bite! 

Source: AVMA

 

General Safety Issues

PREVENTING DOG BITES

As an animal lover, especially dogs, it is sad to hear when someone has been bitten or mauled by a dog.  The most effective ways to reduce dog bites are responsible breeding and ownership, public education, and enforcement of existing laws.  The American Humane Association supports local legislation to protect communities from dangerous animals, but does not advocate laws that target specific breeds of dogs.  We have owned both large and small dogs from time to time.  The largest dog we owned was a German Shepard, and he had a very gentle nature.  Pit bulls and Rotweillers are sometimes outlawed in communities. 

It is up to the owner to understand the nature of the breed of dog they choose.  Our last choice was Buddy, a Jack Russell Terrier, (almost 12 years old now), and if we had researched the very nature of this breed, we might have thought twice!  Since we didn’t, however, he has been a great companion and we wouldn’t trade him for anything.  But, I could write a book on all of his escapades in the past.  He is not to be trusted unless he is penned up or on a leash; if he sees a squirrel or cat, he’s gone, and very hard to catch.  He’s slowing down now, much to our relief! 

Here are some statistics from the American Humane Association, regarding dog bites:

  •          An estimated 4.7 million dog bites occur in the U.S. annually.
  •          Nearly 800,000 dog bites require medical care.
  •          Approximately 92% of fatal dog attacks involved male dogs, 94% of which were not neutered. Neutering reduces aggression,      especially in males.  Un-neutered dogs are more than 2.6 times more likely to bite than neutered dogs.  It is not that expensive to have your dog spayed or neutered.
  •          Approximately 25% of fatal dog attacks involved chained dogs.  Tethered dogs are 2.8 more times likely to bite.  Chaining dogs increases their stress, protectiveness and vulnerability, thereby increasing the potential for aggression.  Fences are better solutions, and certainly less cruel.
  •          Approximately 71% of bites occur to the extremities (arms, legs, hand, feet.)
  •          The insurance industry pays more than $1 billion in dog-bite claims each year.
  •          Approximately two-thirds of bites occurred on or near the victim’s property, and most victims knew the dog.
  •          At least 25 different breeds of dogs have been involved in the 238 dog-bite-related fatalities in the U.S. 

Many of the victims of dog bites are postal service workers, meter readers, salespersons, and delivery workers.  Fifty per cent of dog attacks involve children under 12 years old.  Bite rates are dramatically higher among children 5 to 9 years old.  Here are some important rules to follow, as well as teach our children:

  1. Supervise your dog.
  2. Train and socialize your dog.
  3. Restrain the dog.  Dogs that are allowed to roam loose outside the yard may think the whole neighborhood is their “territory” and defend it aggressively.  It’s a better way to keep your dog safe from getting run over by a car, as well.
  4. Don’t tease your dog.
  5. Never pet a dog without permission from its owner.
  6. Don’t back them into a corner or bother them when they are sleeping. 
  7. Know the warning signs: growling, backing up or curling its lip.
  8. Never treat a dog unkindly.
  9. Don’t approach a dog that is tied up.
  10. Stay calm, and be still. 

If you feel threatened by dogs in your neighborhood, call an animal control officer or local law enforcement; don’t wait until something bad happens.  Animals deserve to be treated with respect and kindness.  Dogs love us unconditionally, even though some don’t get the attention they deserve.  Pay attention to their behavior and keep things on an even keel, and you’ll have a great companion.

 

Source: American Medical Veterinary Association, American Humane Association