FRIDAY, May 23, 2003 (HealthDayNews) --
They may be our best friends, but dogs often bite the hand that feeds and pets them.
It's estimated that 4.7 million Americans, 60 percent of them children, will suffer a dog bite this year. As many as 800,000 people in the United States require medical attention for dog bites each year and about a dozen people die from dog bite injuries annually.
May 18-24 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Veterinary Association and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention want to remind people about the dangers of dog bites and how to prevent them.
Here are some safety tips for dog owners:
- Before you choose a dog as a pet, get a veterinarian's advice about which kind of dog best suits your family and lifestyle.
- Socialize your dog so it feels at ease around people and other animals.
- Don't put your dog in situations where it may feel threatened or be teased.
- Obey leash laws. Don't let your dog roam free.
- Train your dog to obey basic commands such as "stay," "sit" and "come."
- Make sure your dog is healthy by taking it for regular check-ups and vaccinations.
- If your dog is injured or sick, take it to a veterinarian immediately. Illness and pain can make a dog more likely to bite.
- Don't play aggressive games with your dog.
- Spay/neuter your dog.
- Confine your dog to a fenced yard or dog run when it's not in the house. Don't tether dogs to chains because that can contribute to aggressive behavior.
Adults and children should follow these dog safety tips:
- Never approach an unfamiliar dog.
- If approached by an unfamiliar dog, stand still.
- Never run from a dog and never scream around a dog.
- If you believe a dog is about to attack you, try to place something between yourself and the dog, such as a backpack or bicycle.
- If a dog knocks you over, roll into a ball, cover your face and stay still.
- Children should never play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.
- Children should tell an adult if they see a stray dog or any other dog acting strangely.
More information
Here's where you can learn more about animal bites and stings.
