Dog bite prevention week is a nation-wide effort to protect against dog bites. For those of us in the veterinary industry, we have to practice carefully. Dogs who feel threatened or who are in pain are especially likely to bite. When we provide examinations or vaccines for anxious pets, we are especially careful not to be bitten!
Not everyone has our specialized training, however. Children are especially likely to be bitten, which is why we have included information below on how to greet a dog.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association:
- Tens of million of American households include dogs
- The U.S. Postal Service reports that 6,244 postal employees were attacked by dogs in 2017, down from 6,755 in 2016. Children, elderly, and postal carriers are the most frequent victims of dog bites.
- In 2017, insurers across the country paid nearly $700 million in claims related to dog bites, according to estimates from the Insurance Information Institute.
- Nearly 29,000 reconstructive procedures were performed in 2016 to repair injuries caused by dog bites, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
To teach kids about treating dogs nicely, check out Jimmy’s Dog House here:
