Dog attacks can injure and kill –and they're on the rise. Here's how to prevent them.
As the number of dogs owned by Americans has increased in recent years, so too has the number of people bitten by dogs across the country.
There are nearly 90 million dogs living in U.S. households today, according to the latest data from the American Veterinary Medical Association. Experts say the number of bites each year has increased from the most recent estimate 20 years ago of 4.5 million to untold millions today.
In the past decade, fatal dog attacks have also more than doubled, from an average of roughly 40 a year to nearly 100 after the pandemic hit, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although it's difficult to predict when an animal will bite, there are steps dog lovers can take to prevent their canine companions from biting.
"Almost all dog bites are preventable, and prevention begins with education," Dr. Sandra Faeh, president of the AVMA, said in a statement. "By learning about dog behavior and teaching kids how to safely interact with dogs, we can help protect both people and pets. Responsible pet ownership and respectful interactions are key to strengthening the human-animal bond and reducing the risk of injury."
Why do dogs bite?
Dogs typically bite as a reaction to something in their environment, Lori Teller, former president of the AVMA previously told Paste BN. In some cases, she said dogs will bite to protect something, like their pups.
"If a dog feels like it's in a really stressful situation and has no other way out, it may bite to defend its territory," Teller said. "Some dogs may bite because they've been very scared or startled or are feeling threatened about something."
Dogs may also lash out if they are injured or sick. The AVMA recommends scheduling regular veterinarian visits to ensure your dog is well and discuss their physical and behavioral health.
How to prevent dog bites
Teller said the keys to teaching dogs not to bite are training and socialization. Owners should train their puppies not to bite or nip.
Small children are the most common victims of dog bites, and they frequently suffer more serious injuries to the head and neck. With this in mind, parents should teach kids how to safely interact with dogs, Teller said. Dog owners should also never leave children unsupervised with dogs, even family pets, according to the AVMA.
If your dog has mostly been interacting with family, the AVMA recommends slowly exposing them to new situations, like crowded areas or dog parks, for short periods of time and rewarding good behavior. Dogs should always be walked on a leash and owners should keep a close eye on changes in their body language, the organization said.
"Having a basic understanding of dog body language and teaching dogs how to cope and live successfully in a human world can help dogs and humans communicate more effectively with each other," Victoria Stilwell, celebrity dog trainer and behavior expert, said in a statement. "This is best done using positive training methods that center on building dogs’ confidence while avoiding methods and equipment that cause pain or intimidate dogs into complying. How you teach a dog really does matter."
There are steps non-dog owners can take to keep themselves safe, too. Always ask for permission before petting a stranger's dog and be aware a dog may not want to interact with you, the AVMA recommended.
"Dog bite prevention is a community effort," Faeh, the current AVMA president, added. "And all members of the community—pet owners and non-pet owners alike—can play a role in ensuring safe, positive interactions with dogs."
Contributing: Cybele Mayes-Osterman, Paste BN