TUESDAY, May 24, 2011 (HealthDay News) -- Dogs bite about 4.7 million people in the United States every year, but education and proper training and control of dogs can prevent many attacks, experts say.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) are among four U.S. medical organizations joining other groups to raise awareness during National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 15 to 21.
Because they often treat victims of dog attacks, plastic surgeons see firsthand how devastating dog bite injuries can be. There were nearly 33,000 reconstructive procedures on dog bite victims in the United States in 2010, an 8 percent increase from 2009, according to the ASPS.
"Unfortunately, the majority of reconstructive surgeries to treat dog bites are performed on children," ASPS President Dr. Phillip Haeck said in an AAP news release. "Children are frequently bitten on the face, which can result in severe lacerations, infection and permanent scarring."
Children are about three times more likely than adults to be bitten by a dog, studies have found. Each year, about 600,000 children in the United States require medical attention for dog bites.
Advice about how dog owners can prevent their dogs from biting, how people can avoid being bitten, and how to treat dog bites is outlined in a brochure offered by the AAP, United States Postal Service and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Among the ways you can protect yourself and your family from dog bites:
More information
Here's where you can find the dog bite prevention brochure.