- The
- Peoria
- Humane
- Society
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Tips to Keep
Your Dog from Biting
A.
There is no way to guarantee that your dog will never
bite someone. But you can significantly reduce the risk
by:
 | Spay
or neuter your dog -- unneutered dogs are more
likely to bite! Sterilization will not only
reduce aggression but will also decrease a dogs
tendency to roam. It won't ,however, reduce a
dogs protectiveness. |
| Train
and socialize your pet. Set appropriate limits on
acceptable behavior. Help your dog become a
trustworthy member of your family and community. |
| Teach
your dog appropriate behavior. Don't allow it to
jump on people, chase cars, bikers or joggers, or
overreact to visitors or delivery persons. |
| Be a
responsible pet owner. License and vaccinate your
dog. For everyone's safety, don't allow it to
roam. Make your pet a member of your family. Dogs
who spend too much time in the doghouse or tied
in the backyard have a much greater chance of
behavioral problems such as aggression. |
| Err
on the side of safety. If you don't know how your
dog will react to new situations, be cautious.
help your dog become accustomed to a variety of
situations. Until you're confident of his
behavior, however, avoid unusual ones. When a
letter carrier or delivery person visits, keep
your dog restrained or in another room. Don't
allow your dog to jump up against your door or
bite the mail as it comes through the slot. Don't
let your child take mail carrier in the presence
of your dog. Your dog's instinct is to "protect"
the family. |
| Look
for warning signs. Pet owners can often recognize
their dogs displays of aggression before an attack
occurs. A dog may show aggression by disobeying,
growling, or nipping. If your dog ever attacks
another animal without provocation, seek
professional help immediately. Proper training
can usually eradicate aggressive behavior. |
B.
Dog Bites: Common Q and A's
| Q: How many dog
bites are there every year in the U.S.? |
| A: The Humane
Society of the United States estimates that
between 2 and 3 million dog bites are reported
every year. Over sixty percent of bite victims
are children, but the elderly, delivery people,
and letter carriers are also affected. Last year,
over 2,700 letter carriers were bitten by dogs on
the job - an average of over 10 bites a day. |
| Q: How many people
are killed every year from dog attacks? |
| A:An average of 9-12
people are killed every year from dog attacks.
Children are the number one victim, and can
account for 80% of fatality victims. The majority
of dogs involved in both bites and fatalities are
unsterilized and unsocialized animals, products
of irresponsible ownership. |
| Q:What are the most
common breeds involved in dog bites and attacks?
What are the factors that contribute to whether a
dog will bite or not? |
| A:The list of top
breeds involved in both bites and fatalities
changes from year to year depending on the
popularity of the breed. Although genetics do
play some part in determining whether a dog will
bite, factors such as whether the dog is spayed
or neutered, trained, or socialized, play as much
or even more of a role in the level of aggression
present in a dog. For example, unsterilized dogs
are up to three times as likely to bite than
those animals who are spayed or neutered. |
| Q:How can local
laws work to prevent and reduce dog bites? Does
outlawing certain breeds reduce dog bites in a
community? |
A:The most
effective and dangerous dog laws are ones that
place the legal responsibility of a dog bite or
attack on the dog's owner rather than on the dog.
Laws that hold the owner accountable for the
victims pain and suffering, as well as mandating
certain actions such as sterilization and
training of the dog in question , do much more to
reduce dog bites than outlawing certain breeds.
| C.
What to Do If Your Dog Does Bite Someone |
Even if an attack
can be explained (the dog was scared, the
child stepped on the dogs tail, the dog
is afraid of people in uniform), it can
rarely be excused. If your dog does bite
someone, act responsibly by taking these
steps:
| Confine
your dog immediately and check on
the victim's condition. If
necessary, get medical help. |
| Provide
the victim with important
information such as the date of
your dog's last rabies vaccination and your dog's
history (has the pet bitten
before?). |
| Consult an
obedience trainer or animal
behaviorist for practical advice
that will help you prevent such
problems in the future. |
| If your
dog shows serious aggression that
professional help cannot cure, do
not give the dog to someone else
- least of all, someone who wants
a 'mean' dog. Dogs obtained for
purposes that make aggression a
desirable trait almost invariably
lead miserable lives. They also
are likely to attack someone else
in the future. |
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