“How many people die every year as a result of dog bites?”

Answer.
Ten to 20 people die every year as a result of dog bites in
the U.S. By far, the majority of the victims are children.
In a three-year period between 1999 and 2001, 33 people
died after being bitten by a dog. A vast majority of these
victims (24 of 33) were under 12 years of age.

Question.
Why do some dogs bite?

Answer.
There are many reasons why a dog bites. Dogs bite out of
fear or to protect their territory or to establish their
dominance over the person bitten. Some owners mistakenly
teach their dogs that biting is an acceptable form of play
behavior. And every year a number of newborn infants die
when they are bitten by dogs who see them as “prey.”
Because dog bites occur for a variety of reasons, many
components of responsible dog ownership—including
proper socialization, supervision, humane training,
sterilization, and safe confinement—are necessary to
prevent biting.

Question.
Which dogs most commonly bite? Are some breeds more likely
to bite than others?

Answer.
The breeds most commonly involved in both bite injuries and
fatalities changes from year to year and from one area of
the country to another, depending on the popularity of the
breed. Although genetics do play some part in determining
whether a dog will bite, other factors such as whether the
animal is spayed or neutered, properly socialized,
supervised, humanely trained, and safely confined play
significantly greater roles. Responsible dog ownership of
all breeds is the key to dog bite prevention.

Question.
How can local laws prevent dog bites?

Answer.
The most effective dangerous dog laws are those that place
the legal responsibility for a dog’s actions on the owner
rather than on the dog. The best laws hold the owner
accountable for the bite victim’s pain and suffering, and
mandate certain corrective actions such as spay/neuter and
proper confinement of the dog. For more information on
legislation that will effectively reduce dog bites in your
community, contact The HSUS. For guidance on developing a
dog bite prevention plan in your community, read the
American Veterinary Medical Association’s A Community
Approach to Dog Bite Prevention.

Question.
What should I do if I am bitten by a dog?

Answer.
If you are bitten or attacked by a dog, try not to panic.
? Immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and
warm water.
? Contact your physician for additional care and
advice.
? Report the bite to your local animal care and
control agency. Tell the animal control official everything
you know about the dog, including his owner’s name and the
address where he lives. If the dog is a stray, tell the
animal control official what the dog looks like, where you
saw him, whether you’ve seen him before, and in which
direction he went.

Question.
Can children be taught to avoid being bitten by a dog?

Answer.
Yes, just as we teach our children to practice safety in
other situations, we can teach them to be safe around dogs.
The most important lessons for children to learn are not to
chase or tease dogs they know and to avoid dogs they don’t
know.

Question.
Is there any way I can “bite-proof” my dog?

Answer.
There is no way to guarantee that your dog will never bite
someone. But you can significantly reduce the risk. Here’s
how:
? Spay or neuter your dog. This important procedure
will reduce your dog’s desire to roam and fight with other
dogs, making safe confinement an easier task. Spayed or
neutered dogs are three times less likely to bite.
? Socialize your dog. Introduce your dog to many
different types of people and situations so that he or she
is not nervous or frightened under normal social
circumstances.
? Train your dog. Accompanying your dog to a training
class is an excellent way to socialize him and to learn
proper training techniques. Training your dog is a family
matter. Every member of your household should learn the
training techniques and participate in your dog’s education.
? Never send your dog away to be trained; only you
can teach your dog how to behave in your home.
? Teach your dog appropriate behavior. Don’t play
aggressive games with your dog such as wrestling,
tug-of-war, or “siccing” your dog on another person. Set
appropriate limits for your dog’s behavior. Don’t wait for
an accident. The first time he exhibits dangerous behavior
toward any person, particularly toward children, seek
professional help from your veterinarian, an animal
behaviorist, or a qualified dog trainer. Your community
animal care and control agency or humane society may also
offer helpful services. Dangerous behavior toward other
animals may eventually lead to dangerous behavior toward
people, and is also a reason to seek professional help.
? Be a responsible dog owner. License your dog as
required by law, and provide regular veterinary care,
including rabies vaccinations. For everyone’s safety, don’t
allow your dog to roam. Make your dog a member of your
family: Dogs who spend a great deal of time alone in the
backyard or tied on a chain often become dangerous. Dogs
who are well-socialized and supervised rarely bite.
? Err on the safe side. If you don’t know how your
dog will react to a new situation, be cautious. If your dog
may panic in crowds, leave him at home. If your dog
overreacts to visitors or delivery or service personnel,
keep him in another room. Work with professionals to help
your dog become accustomed to these and other situations.
Until you are confident of his behavior, however, avoid
stressful settings.

Question.
What should I do if my dog bites someone?

Answer.
If your dog bites someone, act responsibly by taking these
steps:
? Confine your dog immediately and check on the
victim’s condition. If necessary, seek medical help.
? Provide the victim with important information, such
as the date of your dog’s last rabies vaccination.
? Cooperate with the animal control official
responsible for acquiring information about your dog. If
your dog must be quarantined for any length of time, ask
whether he may be confined within your home or at your
veterinarian’s hospital. Strictly follow quarantine
requirements for your dog.
? Seek professional help to prevent your dog from
biting again. Consult with your veterinarian, who may refer
you to an animal behaviorist or a dog trainer. Your
community animal care and control agency or humane society
may also offer helpful services.
? If your dog’s dangerous behavior cannot be
controlled, do not give him to someone else without
carefully evaluating that person’s ability to protect him
and prevent him from biting. a Because you know your dog is
dangerous, you may be held liable for any damage he does
even when he is given to someone else.
? Don’t give your dog to someone who wants a
dangerous dog. “Mean” dogs are often forced to live
miserable, isolated lives, and become even more likely to
attack someone in the future. If you must give up your dog
due to dangerous behavior, consult with your veterinarian
and with your local animal care and control agency or
humane society about your options.

—————————————————-
Christopher M. Davis is the managing partner of Davis Law
Group. He brings over 15 years of practical yet innovative
experience to personal injury cases. He practices law in
Seattle, WA. You can learn more about Mr. Davis at
http://www.InjuryTrialLawyer.com or
http://www.seattleaccidentnews.com . Copyright 2007
Christopher M. Davis.
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