Dog Bite Preparation: What You Need To Know

You often hear that a dog is a man's best friend. While it is true that the majority of canines are harmless and incredibly friendly, some dogs can become aggressive and bite you if they are provoked. This is true regardless of their size, gender, age, or breed. Read on to become more familiar with dog bites and how you can prevent them from happening.

What Statistics Say About Dog Bites

The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that there is at least one dog in just over 36 percent of American households. This means that there are a lot of dog owners in the United States. Unfortunately, there are 4.5 million people in America that suffer from dog bites on an annual basis, with 20 percent of those dog bites (roughly 800,000) requiring medical attention. What's even more heartbreaking is that the most common victim of those dog bites are children, with senior citizens trailing close behind. 

What Exactly Causes A Dogs to Bite?

Honestly, there are many reasons why a dog may bite, and it all depends on the particular situation. Some of the reasons may include the following:

• Fear - It is very common for a dog to bite out of fear for itself. This is often the case when the dog is exposed to an unfamiliar situation or a stranger.
• Protection - Dogs are very loyal. Therefore, if they see you as a specific threat to their puppies, owner, favorite toy, or anything else close to them, they could bite.
• Sickness - Sometimes, dogs can become aggressive when they are in pain or sick, which can lead to biting.
• Poor Training - In some cases, a dog bites simply because it has not been trained properly by its owner. 

What You Can Do to Prevent Dog Bites from Occurring

In almost all cases, a dog bite can be prevented. Here are a few tips to help you prevent a dog bite from occurring when you're around a dog:

• Keep your distance from dogs that you are not familiar with. Approach the dog slowly.
• Avoid playing aggressive games with the dog like tug of war.
• Do your best to avoid making direct eye contact with the dog, as this often makes them feel scared or intimidated. 
• Do not disturb a dog when it is sleeping, eating, playing, or nursing.
• Be aware of the signs of a dog that may be about to bite, including a stiff tail, tensed body, furrowed brow, pulled back ears, exposed teeth, and possible growling. 

If you are bitten by a dog, make sure to seek medical attention right away and contact a dog bite attorney in your local area, like the Law Office of Daniel E Goodman, LLC as soon as possible for a case evaluation.