Quick Bite Stat
According to the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program, children are bitten far more often than adults, with kids between the ages of five and nine years bitten most often. Most children’s dog bite injuries occur during play with a dog they know. A recent survey indicates that more than a third of the bites involved the family dog; 35% involved a familiar dog belonging to a friend or neighbour; and 12% involved a stray dog. In slightly more than 20% of the cases, the dog was unknown.
Why did you bite me, Little Max, why?
Common causes of dog bites include:
– A dog protecting a treasured item – food, a toy, even its owner.
– A dog protecting its turf when someone trespasses.
– A child repeatedly annoying the dog (pulling its ears, climbing on him).
– A dog startled from a sound sleep.
– An elderly dog in pain and cranky.
– A frightened or hurt dog.
– A dog, who hasn’t learned bite inhibition, uses its mouth too roughly while playing.
– A dog becomes over stimulated while playing.
– A dog becomes defensive when cornered, crowded, or hovered over.
Teach your children well
When you meet children while out for a walk, be sure they approach your dog properly. This ensures their safety as well as protecting your dog. Teach children to observe the simple rules of safe and considerate behaviour around dogs.
In particular, teasing, chasing and yelling should be discouraged. Children should be taught to never hug a dog. Your dog may tolerate it, but another may not. They should never put their faces close to a dog’s mouth – the face is the most common site of serious dog bite injuries.
– Ask permission before petting someone else’s dog.
– When meeting an unknown dog, allow the dog to come to you.
– Crouch down or turn to the side. Let him sniff your hand before you pet him.
– Don’t try to pet dogs that are tied up, sleeping, eating, behind fences, or in vehicles.
– Keep your hands away from a dog’s fence. A dog’s yard is his personal property, and he may growl or bite to protect it.
– Do not grab their food, bones or toys.
– Do not run from a dog or scream.
– Be a tree when approached by an unfamiliar dog – remain very still.
– If a dog knocks you over, roll into a ball and lie still.
– Do not play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.
– Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.