T',
Thanks for calling attention to Dog Bite Prevention Week! With 4.5 million people bitten by dogs in the U.S. per year, half of which are usually children, this can be a serious public health issue. I'd like to share some steps from the American Veterinary Medical Association that we can all take, whether we have a dog in our family or not, to prevent dog bites. The most important thing to remember though… any dog can bite!
Have a dog in your family? There are a number of things you can do to decrease the chance that your dog may bite someone:
- Socialize your dog so they feel comfortable around other dogs and people
- Teach them basic commands as part of their training
- Take precautions like obeying leash laws and having your dog spayed or neutered
- And, vaccinate them! Vaccination keeps them healthy and also reduces the risk that they pass along an infection in the event they do bite someone
No dog in your family? There are still things you can do to protect yourself or your children:
- Always supervise children around dogs and teach them how to approach dogs respectfully (don't grab or hit)
- Always ask before petting a dog you don't know
- Avoid reaching into a dog's space or for their toys or food
- Pay attention to the dog's body language- dogs will let us know when they are getting stressed or feel frightened. If a dog tucks their tail between their legs or stiffens up, they may be trying to tell you something. And, if they start growling or snapping, it's time to get away!
If you are bitten, there are important steps you should follow:
- Ask the person with the dog for their contact information and the dog's vaccination records
- Clean the bite with soap and water
- Consult a doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if the bite is bad enough
Dog bites can transmit all sorts of bacteria and viruses, including serious ones like tetanus and rabies so it is important to address a bite quickly.
Playing with or petting a dog can be great for you and them! But, we want to make sure we keep everyone safe during these interactions. If we all follow the steps here, we can decrease the chance of dog bites and keep everyone, humans and dogs alike, happy and healthy!
Does anyone have any other tips for preventing dog bites that we didn't discuss here? Are your organizations doing anything to acknowledge Dog Bite Prevention Week? I personally love the activity books for kids!
References:
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Kaitlyn Davis
Research Associate
UTK Program for Pet Health Equity
TN
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2025 11:33 AM
From: T' Fisher
Subject: National Dog Bite Prevention Week: Awareness Saves Lives 🐾
Each year, dogs bite approximately 4.7 million Americans, with half of the victims being children between the ages of 5 and 9. According to the CDC, 1 in 5 dog bites leads to an injury serious enough to require medical attention. ~ Dog Bites: Preventing Infections and Treating Injuries
Tragically, the impact can be fatal. Between 2011 and 2021, there were 468 deaths caused by dog bites or strikes-averaging 43 deaths per year, according to the Acceding to the CDC and the National Center for Health Statistics. Even more concerning, from 2018 to 2021, those numbers more than doubled for both men (from 15 to 37) and women (from 20 to 44).
Education is key to prevention. That's why we're grateful to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for providing FREE downloadable coloring books to help teach children and families how to stay safe around dogs. Feel free to download and share them with your community! 🖍️🐶
How does your community help educate people about staying safe around dogs?
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T' Fisher, Director of Operations
Program for Pet Health Equity
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