Protecting Your Child from Dog Bites

Every year, 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs, according to the National Center of Injury Prevention and Control. To combat these statistics, the United States Postal Service, the American Veterinarian Association, and the United States Center for Disease Control work together each year to sponsor National Dog Bite Prevention Week.

Sadly, children are often the victim of dog bites due to their size and inability to protect themselves from attack. They also do not always know how best to behave around animals and inappropriately pull or grab dogs, causing them to become agitated and bite. Children between the ages of 5 and 9 years old have the highest rate of dog-bite related injuries. Boys are more frequently injured than girls.

Teaching children how to properly behave around animals is crucial in preventing bites or attacks. Created for National Dog Bite Prevention week, the following is a list of 10 rules that children should follow when encountering or playing with a dog:

• Do not approach unfamiliar dogs.
• Do not run from a strange dog and scream. This will only encourage a dog to chase you.
• Do not move when approached by an unfamiliar dog.
• If an unfamiliar dog knocks you over, roll into a ball and stay still. This position protects your face if the dog becomes aggressive and attacks.
• Do not play with a dog unless an adult is supervising.
• Immediately report stray dogs or aggressive dogs.
• Do not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
• Allow a dog that you have just met to see and to sniff you before you pet it.
• Report any bites that may occur immediately and seek medical attention.

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, Contact Appleton Animal Attack Lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. at 1-800-757-8644. Your initial consultation is free.