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Did you know that ...
- 4.7
million people in this country are bitten by dogs every year
- children
are by far the most common victims
- 800,000
Americans receive medical attention for dog bites each year
- children
are far more likely to be severely injured; approximately 400,000 receive
medical attention every year
- most
dog bites affecting young children occur during everyday activities and
while interacting with familiar dogs
- senior
citizens are the second most common dog bite victims
There are a number of things that you can do to avoid dog
bites, ranging from properly training and socializing your pet to educating
your children on how, or if, they should approach a dog. Information is one of
the best preventions.
How can you protect
your family?
Be
cautious around strange dogs, and treat your own pet with respect. Because
children are the most common victims of dog bites, parents and caregivers
should:
- NEVER
leave a baby or small child alone with a dog.
- Be
alert for potentially dangerous situations.
- Teach
children – including toddlers – to be careful around pets. Children
must learn not to approach strange dogs or try to pet dogs through fences.
Teach children to ask permission from the dog's owner before petting the
dog.
Dog Bite Emergencies
If you
are bitten by a dog, here is a checklist of things you should do:
- If the
dog's owner is present, request proof of rabies vaccination, and get the
owner's name and contact information.
- Clean
bite wound with soap and water as soon as possible.
- Consult
your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if it's after office
hours.
- Contact the dog's veterinarian to check vaccination records.
