Family Safety - Safety Tips to Prevent Dog Bites - May 2007

In the United States, an alarming 4.5 million people get bitten or attacked by dogs each year, killing an average of 20 people, and requiring medical attention to over 850,000 people. Of those injured, approximately 400,000 require treatment in an emergency department.

Young children in Michigan are often the most susceptible to Michigan dog bites and attacks. Shockingly, research shows half of all children are bitten by dogs at some point in their childhood. Boys, ages 5 to 9 are most at risk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This rate of dog bites decreases as children age.

There are several reasons which make children more vulnerable to Michigan dog bites and attacks. Unlike adults, children are not seen as a dominant figure to a dog. In addition, a child’s voice can be very startling and their movements can be very unpredictable for a dog.

Children often want to befriend a dog. However, these movements often appear as an explicit threat to a dog, instead of an expression of love, causing the dog to attack. Another reason is that children are also very small people, and are closer to the size of a dog, as well as often being at face level with a dog. This physical proximity of a dog to a child is very dangerous. Almost two-thirds of injuries among children ages four years and younger are to the head, face or neck region, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

What causes a dog to bite? One of the first lessons is to recognize the signs friendly and aggressive dogs. An aggressive dog has a tight mouth, flattened ears and a direct stare. A friendly dog is relaxed, it wags its tail, and its mouth and ears are relaxed. However, caution must be used even if a dog appears non-threatening. Sometimes that faithful friend can turn into a foe.

What can cause your best friend to become an enemy? There are many types of aggression among dogs which cause a dog to attack or bite. Factors associated with aggression from different studies include the following:

• Male dogs are more aggressive that females.
• Poor health of a dog results in aggression.
• Pain and fear cause a dog to become aggressive.
• A chained dog is more likely to be aggressive and attack.
• Dogs that haven’t been sprayed or neutered are more likely to bite.

Dog attack signs:

• Stiffens up
• Leans forward
• Stares
• Hair stands up

What to do:

• Stay calm
• Back away slowly
• Don't turn your back
• Don't make eye contact
• Keep dog in your vision

Safety tips for dog owners:

• Before getting a dog, seek the advice of a veterinarian about which dog is right for your family and your 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.
• Follow leash laws. Don't let your dog roam freely.
• Train your dog to consistently obey basic commands such as "stay," "sit," and "come."
• Keep your dog healthy with regular check-ups and a vaccination program tailored to your dog's needs.
• See a veterinarian promptly if your dog is sick or injured. Illness and pain can make a dog more likely to bite.
• Don't play aggressive games with your dog.
• Spay or neuter your dog.
• Confine your dog in a fenced yard or dog run when it is not in the house.
• Never tether or chain your dog because this can contribute to aggressive behavior.

Safety tips for adults and children:

• Never approach an unfamiliar dog.
• If approached by an unfamiliar dog, stand still like a tree.
• 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 a bicycle.
• If a dog knocks you over, roll into a ball, cover your face and stay still.
• Children should never play with dogs unless supervised by an adult.
• Children should tell an adult if they see a stray dog or a dog acting strangely.
• Don't look a dog right in the eye.
• Don't disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
• Don't play with a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
• Children should never approach a dog unless supervised by an adult.
• Adults should never leave an infant or young child alone with any dog, not even the family pet.

If you are bitten:

• Seek medical attention immediately.
• Control bleeding and wash the area of the bite with soap and water.
• Because serious dog bites can cause scarring, ask emergency room personnel for a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This ensures that the doctor is uniquely qualified to perform reconstructive and cosmetic procedures on the face and all areas of the body.
• Report the bite to your local public health department, animal control agency, or police.
• Provide authorities with an accurate description of the dog, the circumstances surrounding the bite, and the dog owner's identity, if known.
• Contact a Michigan dog bite lawyer to determine your legal rights as a Michigan dog bite victim.

A Michigan dog bite can be a traumatic event that results in serious injury. Vicious Michigan dog attacks cause numerous deaths every year. Often a bite will result in permanent scarring, nerve damage, and a significant risk of infection. Many times, there is psychological harm that lasts well beyond the physical injury.

Our law firm, the Sam Bernstein Law Firm, represents thousands of Michigan dog bite victims. If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury as a result of a Michigan dog bite, talk with an experienced Michigan dog bite lawyer.

Click here to get a free, confidential legal consultation about your Michigan dog bite claim now.