In 2008, dog bites sent an average of 866 people every day — nearly 40 percent of them children and teens — to emergency rooms throughout the country for treatment. Twenty-six patients a day required hospitalization, the report noted.

Only a small percentage of the spike is attributed to population growth of both dogs and people during the same period, said study co-author Anne Elixhauser, a senior research scientist with the federal agency. However, the data didn’t give any clues as to why biting injuries are on the rise, she said.

Frequently the attacker is a family or neighborhood pet, researchers say.

“A lot of people think dog bites are from some [stray] running around, and no one knows where it lives,” said Nancy Hill, who sits on the board of directors for the National Animal Control Association. “That happens to some extent, but to a greater extent it’s the owned dog.”

In the case of Kelly Voigt of Palatine, Ill., a neighborhood dog was the culprit. In the spring of 1999, Voigt, then 7, innocently walked up a neighbor’s driveway to pet their resting dog, a Siberian Husky. She was immediately bitten in the face and throat, suffering injuries so severe she needed more than 100 stitches to close the wounds. She also required psychiatric counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

“It affected me in such a big way that I just didn’t want anyone else to get attacked like I did, so we decided to do something about it,” said the now 18-year-old.

She and her mother Kathy formed the nonprofit organization Prevent the Bite to teach elementary school children how to stay safe around dogs. The presentations focus on a basic understanding of canine body language, simple safety techniques, and responsible dog ownership. “Dog bite prevention education cannot begin early enough,” she said.

Understanding canine body language and behavior is an important part of the puzzle for keeping kids safe.

Dr. Ilana Reisner, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, examined more than 100 medical records of dogs that had bitten children in order to better understand why these incidents occur.

Click here to read the full article for more information and great tips on how to teach kids how to stay safe around dogs.

I have an affinity for four-legged furry beasts; a house isn’t a home without a dog.  Moreover, I think they help teach kids how to be compassionate and responsible.  

Dunkin, Snowball, and Oreo

As we all know, dogs are animals and sometimes they do bite so it’s very important when you’re mixing kids with dogs, that both parties know how they’re supposed to behave.  This is especially important for mothers of tweens, considering the fact that 70% of bites or attacks occur in children age 11 and under and usually happen at the dog’s residence (Dogbites.org, 2008). 

I’m not trying to scare you, my girls live in harmony with three dogs.  So, how does one prevent dog bites?  Here’s a great list taken directly from the Humane Society that highlights different ways to teach bite avoidance to your children: http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/dog_care/stay_dog_bite_free/
teaching_your_child_to_avoid_dog_bites.html)

1.  Before petting someone’s dog, ask the dog’s guardian for permission

2.  Never sneak up on or pet a dog who is eating or sleeping

 3.  Never pet a dog who is playing with a toy

4.   Never try to pet a dog who is in a car

5.   Never pet a dog who is behind a fence

6.   An angry dog may try to make herself look big

7.   A frightened dog behaves differently

8.   If you are walking, stop and stand still

9.   If you are playing on the ground, lie still on the ground (like a log)

10.  Never, ever try to outrun a dog

Dogs and kids can live happily together if they both respect each other.  Children should never be left alone unsupervised with any dog, no matter how trustworthy.  Why?  Mom or dad walks out, Joey starts pulling Fido’s tail, and next thing you know, there’s a potential bite situation. 

There are countless measures one can take to help prevent dog bites.  Local rescue groups, the ASPCA, HSUS, and an appropriately credentialed behaviorist/trainer are all great resources when it comes to having kids and dogs live together in harmony.  The following videos are from HSUS and highlight different ways to prevent dog bites.  I hope you find them informative.   

Preventing Dog Bites I

Preventing Dog Bites II