National Dog Bite Prevention Week, 2004

Man and woman's best friend bites more than 4.7 million people a
year, and key experts believe that public education can help prevent
these bites. May 16-22 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, and the
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the United States
Postal Service, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
are each working to educate Americans about dog bite prevention.

Each year, 800,000 Americans seek medical attention for dog bites;
half of these are children. Of those injured, 386,000 require
treatment in an emergency department and about a dozen die. The rate
of dog bite-related injuries is highest for children ages 5 to 9
years, and the rate decreases as children age. Almost two thirds of
injuries among children ages four years and younger are to the head
or neck region. Injury rates in children are significantly higher for
boys than for girls.

CDC is committed to reducing this public health problem by working
with state health departments to establish dog bite prevention
programs and by tracking and reporting trends on U.S. dog bite
injuries. Dog bites are a largely preventable public health problem,
and adults and children can learn to reduce their chances of being
bitten.

Things to Consider Before You Get a Dog

õ Consult with a professional (e.g., veterinarian, animal behaviorist,
or responsible breeder) to learn about suitable breeds of dogs for
your household.
õ Dogs with histories of aggression are inappropriate in households
with children.
õ Be sensitive to cues that a child is fearful or apprehensive about a
dog and, if so, delay acquiring a dog.
õ Spend time with a dog before buying or adopting it. Use caution when
bringing a dog into the home of an infant or toddler.
õ Spay/neuter virtually all dogs (this frequently reduces aggressive
tendencies).
õ Never leave infants or young children alone with any dog.
õ Do not play aggressive games with your dog (e.g., wrestling).
õ 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).
õ Immediately seek professional advice (e.g., from veterinarians,
animal behaviorists, or responsible breeders) if the dog develops
aggressive or undesirable behaviors.

Preventing Dog Bites

Teach children basic safety around dogs and review regularly:

õ Do not approach an unfamiliar dog.
õ Do not run from a dog and scream.
õ Remain motionless (e.g., "be still like a tree") when approached by
an unfamiliar dog.
õ If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still (e.g., "be
still like a log").
õ Do not play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.
õ Immediately report stray dogs or dogs displaying unusual behavior to
an adult.
õ Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.
õ Do not disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
õ Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
õ If bitten, immediately report the bite to an adult.

NCIPC Programs and Activities

Campaign to Educate Georgians about Dog Bites
NCIPC is funding the Georgia Division of Public Health to conduct a
dog bite prevention campaign in Chatham, Bullock, and Effingham
counties. During their first year, program staff used the Community
Readiness Model to complete a needs assessment. In 2002, a random
digit dial telephone survey to assess knowledge, attitudes and
behaviors associated with dog bite prevention was conducted. Program
staff currently are using educational materials and media outreach to
teach children, parents, dog owners, health care providers and other
adults about the risk of dog bite-related injuries and about
strategies for preventing such injuries. Project staff will evaluate
whether the campaign changes people's beliefs and actions about dog
bites and reduces the number of dog bite-related injuries occurring
in the three counties. Results from this campaign will guide future
efforts to prevent dog bites and associated injuries and deaths.

More resources about dog bite prevention:

American Veterinary Medical Association -
http://www.avma.org/pubhlth/dogbite/default.asp

United States Postal Service -
http://www.usps.com/communications/community/dogbite.htm

CDC - National Center for Injury Prevention and Control -
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/biteprevention.htm