Why do dogs bite?
Dogs’ natural instinct tells them to chase prey, guard their territory, protect their young, and defend themselves when cornered. Dogs communicate with the only tools they have - their bodies, a range of verbal sounds, and their teeth. Most dog bites are reported as "unprovoked."
The vast majority of dogs are safe, reliable companions. But even a friendly dog may bite if threatened, angry, afraid, or hurt. Some dogs can be described as dangerous—bred or trained to be aggressive, with predatory instincts that may cause them to chase and attack a fleeing child. Most dog bites are from dogs known to the victim, either the family dog or neighbor's dog.1 It is often through play that excites the dog that most dog bites occur. It is also the case that most dog bites aren't reported because it is the family dog or the bite is not severe enough to warrant a hospital visit.
Teach children basic safety around dogs and review the following regularly:
- Do not approach an unfamiliar dog.
- Don’t run past a dog and don’t ride or skate close to a dog on your bike or rollerblades; dogs naturally love to chase and catch things. Don’t give them a reason to become excited or aggressive. Remain motionless (e.g., “be still like a tree”) when approached by an unfamiliar dog.
- If you are threatened by a dog, remain calm. Don’t scream. If you say anything, speak calmly and firmly. Avoid eye contact. Try to stay still until the dog leaves, or back away slowly until the dog is out of sight. Don’t turn and run.
- If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still (e.g., “be still like a tree”).
- Always ask an owner if you can pet the owner’s dog before doing so. Do not play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.
- Immediately report stray dogs or dogs displaying unusual behavior to an adult.
- Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.
- Do not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
- Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
- If bitten, immediately report the bite to an adult.
Things to consider before you get a dog:
- Consult with a professional (e.g., veterinarian, animal behaviorist, or responsible breeder) to learn about suitable breeds of dogs for your household.
- Dogs with histories of aggression are inappropriate in households with children.
- Spay/neuter all dogs (this frequently reduces aggressive tendencies).
- Never leave infants or young children alone with any dog.
- Do not play aggressive games with your dog (e.g., wrestling or tug-of-war).
- Properly socialize and train any dog entering the household. Teach the dog submissive behaviors (e.g., rolling over to expose abdomen and
relinquishing food without growling).
What to do if bitten:
If you or your child has been bitten, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and lots of water and then seek medical attention immediately. If possible, have information about the dog and its whereabouts so that you can share this with local authorities. Report the bite to the local health department or your local animal control office.
What should I do if my dog bites someone?
The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends the following if your dog bites someone:
- Restrain the dog immediately. Separate it from the scene of the attack. Confine it.
- Check on the victim's condition. Wash wounds with soap and water. Professional medical advice should be sought to evaluate the risk of rabies or other infections. Call 911 if paramedic response is required.
- Provide important information including your name, address and information about your dog's most recent rabies vaccination. If your dog does not have a current rabies vaccination, it may be necessary to quarantine it or even euthanize it for rabies testing. The person bitten may need to undergo rabies treatment.
- Comply with local ordinances regarding the reporting of dog bites.
Consult your veterinarian for advice about dog behavior that will help prevent similar problems in the future.
Rabies and Dog Bites
Although rabies is uncommon in dogs in the United States, it is one of the first things that comes to mind after a dog bite. Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It kills almost any mammal or human that gets sick from it. The rabies virus is found in the saliva and brain tissue of rabid animals. The virus can be transmitted through a bite or by getting infected saliva or brain tissue into an open wound; rarely by getting virus into a mucus membrane like the eye or mouth. The rabies virus cannot cause an infection through intact skin.
Cats, dogs, ferrets, and some livestock can be protected from the rabies virus by staying up to date on their rabies vaccinations.
If an animal bite occurs, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and lots of water and then seek medical attention immediately. Report the bite to the local health department and your local animal control office. These agencies will help determine if you may have been potentially exposed to the rabies virus and will coordinate follow up on the animal. Even if a dog, cat or ferret is up to date on its rabies vaccinations, these animals will be observed for ten days following the bite to insure that they were not shedding the rabies virus when the bite occurred.
As a result of improved rabies vaccination programs for pets and better treatment for people who are bitten, rabies cases among humans in Virginia, and the United States, are extremely rare.
The best way to prevent the spread of rabies to humans is by keeping pets properly vaccinated and enjoying wildlife from a distance.
How can I keep my pet from getting rabies?
The best way to prevent rabies is to make sure your pets get and stay vaccinated. The following tips can also help prevent rabies in your pets:
- Walk your dog on a leash. Never let them roam freely where wildlife may be present.
- Consider keeping your pets indoors.
- Call animal control to take wild or stray animals away, especially if you see an animal acting strangely.
- If an animal bites your pet, handle your pet carefully so you do not get bitten. Get a rabies booster vaccination for them. Even if they have had the rabies vaccination, a booster shot will help them fight off the disease better.
- Get your pets spayed or neutered. Pets that are fixed are less likely to leave home, become strays, and make more stray animals.
- Make sure your pet gets and wears their rabies vaccination tags. They should also wear a tag with their name and your address and phone number.
- Keep them in a fenced yard or on a leash.
For more information on rabies, contact your local health department or visit the website http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epidemiology/DEE/Rabies/.
Download the Rabies and Animal Bites: What You Should Know and What You Should Do brochure http://www.vdh.state.va.us/Epidemiology/factsheets/pdf/Rabies-brochure.pdf
Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry
The Dangerous Dog Registry provides a mechanism for consumers to determine if dangerous dogs reside in their neighborhoods and for local animal control officials to post information about dogs that have been declared dangerous by the local court. Consumers can visit the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Web site at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/animals/dogs.shtml to access the registry.
Resources
Data and Statistics
Prevention
Choosing the Right Breed of Dog
References
1. Michael Bermant, MD. Dog Bite Prevention: Dog bites can cause much deformity. Learn several situations to lessen the chance of dog bite injuries. Retrieved July 31, 2008 from http://www.plasticsurgery4u.com/procedure_folder/dog_bite.html
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2008). National Dog Bite Prevention Week. Retrieved on July 31, 2008 from http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/biteprevention.htm. |
