National Dog Bite Prevention Week is May 15th-21st, 2011, and organizations around the country are promoting education and awareness campaigns to reduce the staggering number of dog bites that take place each year. Here at LOSE THE LEASH Dog Training, our professional staff has worked with thousands of owners and their dogs, as well as the general public in order to prevent dog bites through education.
Did you know?
- About 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year.
- Almost one in five of those who are bitten, a total of 885,000, require medical attention for dog bite-related injuries.
- In 2006, more than 31,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of being bitten by dogs.
Who is most at risk of being bitten by a dog?
- Children are the most at risk group for being bitten by a dog, adult males are the runners up.
- Simply having a dog in the household increases the risk of being bitten by a dog, this is why proper training is so important.
- Consulting an experienced dog trainer can greatly reduce the risks of being bitten by a dog!
Need some tips about dog safety?
- Do not approach an unfamiliar dog, to greet a dog, let it dog come to you.
- Do not run away and scream from a dog, standing still or moving away slowly will help to keep the dog calm.
- Do not allow children to play with dogs without adult supervision.
- Do not approach or disturb a dog while it’s sleeping or eating.
- Always ask any dog owner for permission before greeting any unfamiliar dog.
- Always report stray, unfamiliar dogs to your local animal control agency.
- Always report a dog bite to your local animal control agency.