Dog Bite Prevention Tips from the CDC

By Kelly Balamuth on May 9, 2011

Almost 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About twenty percent of these people, or 885,000, require medical attention after a dog bite, and over 30,000 people need reconstructive surgery to repair the effects of a bite. In response to the high number of dog bites each year, the CDC offers the following tips on protecting yourself and your family members from dog bite injuries.

First, if you are planning to add a dog to your family, talk to a veterinarian or other professional to learn which breeds are best for your household. Some dogs are more aggressive than others or do not do well with children. Get the history of a particular dog before you adopt it. A dog that is known to be aggressive should not be brought into a home with children, and a dog that is known to bite people is more likely to bite again.

Next, teach children techniques for dealing with strange dogs, especially if they show signs of aggression. Teach kids never to approach or pet another person’s dog before asking the owner’s permission. If an unfamiliar dog approaches the child, he or she should hold still instead of running away or screaming and avoid making eye contact with the dog. Finally, teach children to tell an adult immediately if they are bitten by a dog.

Many dog owners take care to train their dogs to reduce the dog’s chances of biting. However, if you or a loved one suffers a dog bite injury from an attack, the dog’s owner may be liable. To learn more about your legal rights and options after a dog bite, call the experienced Northern California dog bite attorneys at Balamuth Harrington at 888-254-1234 for a free consultation.