Dog Bite Prevention

If you watch the news, you may have the impression that dog bites are frightening but relatively rare events. You may be surprised to learn that the Center for Disease Control and prevention (the CDC) has reported that, on average, 4.5 million people in the United States suffer a dog bite for which they require medical attention every year. In fact, it's been estimated that half of the U. S. population will be bitten by a dog over the course of their lives. Children are two times more likely to be bitten by a dog. And these are not feral strays encountered in the street; for the most part, they are familiar dogs. No one wants to be bitten by an aggressive dog, and no one wants their family pet to injure an innocent person. This book provides the epidemiology and costs of dog bites, an overview of laws and penalties concerning dangerous animals, elements of responsible dog ownership, and safe practices, such as ways to prevent dog bites. In addition, you'll learn what to do if you or someone else is bitten by a dog, the actions to take if your dog bites another person, dog bite myths, and ways to ensure that your children interact safely with both your own and strange dogs.