Preventing dog bites is not rocket science

It’s National Dog Bite Prevention Week… in the USA. During the week (April 7-13), a coalition of veterinarians, animal behaviour experts, and insurance representatives are urging people to understand the risks dog bites pose to people and other pets, and to take steps to prevent them.

According to the latest data from the American Veterinary Medical Association, 45% of households in the USA include a dog or dogs, for a total of 88 million canine companions. While the vast majority of these dogs coexist peacefully with humans, dog bites remain a serious public health risk, with more than 4.5 million people bitten each year in the USA, a release from the association said.

With more than 105,000 members, the AVMA is the USA’s leading representative of the veterinary profession, dedicated to improving the health and well-being of animals, humans, and the environment. Founded in 1863 and with members in every U.S. state and territory and more than 60 countries, the AVMA is among the world’s largest veterinary medical organizations.

In India, a country one-third the size of the USA with over four times as many humans, and a huge population of stray animals, the number of dog bites reported annually is a little over half the number reported in the USA.

According to a report in The New Indian Express in December, Parshottam Rupala, minister for fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying, told Parliament that as per statistics available with the government at that point, 2.5 million dog bite incidents were reported from different parts of the country between January and October last year. The number of such cases was nearly 2.2 million in 2022 and over 1.7 million in 2021.

Yet, there is a small but vocal section in the country that keeps baying for the blood of dogs and getting into fights with those who keep dogs and even those who look after stray animals. This section is far more voluble than any similar section in the USA.

“Dogs are not just pets; they are beloved members of our households, providing joy, companionship, and comfort in our lives,” said Dr Rena Carlson, AVMA president. “While the reality is that any dog can bite, most such incidents are preventable. As we mark National Dog Bite Prevention Week, let’s commit to increasing our understanding of the issue and taking proactive steps towards prevention. Together, we can nurture the bonds we share with our dogs and ensure the safety of our families and communities.”

To assist in these efforts, members of the National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coalition—which includes the AVMA, State Farm, Insurance Information Institute (Triple I), and Victoria Stilwell Positively—are hosting a Facebook Live event on Thursday at noon Central Time.

The event, moderated by certified animal behaviour consultant and radio host Steve Dale, will discuss training tips to help prevent bites, how to safely socialize your dog after a period of isolation, and how to recognize the warning signs that a dog may bite. In addition, the coalition will release the latest dog-related injury claims data. The panellists will also answer questions submitted by the public during the event.

When it comes to dog bites, cases of bites to children are of particular concern. In fact, more than 50% of all dog-related injuries are to children, and for those under four years of age, those bites are often to vulnerable head and neck regions, which is why it is so important to never leave children unsupervised with dogs, even if they are family pets.

To help protect young children from dog bites, the National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coalition is teaming up with the Center for Canine Behavior Studies to promote their new Be BiteSmart educational initiative. The initiative has launched its initial animated videos lesson—Paws to Prevent—for children ages 3 to 5, and parents. Colouring sheets that reinforce each lesson can also be downloaded. All videos and materials are free to anyone with Internet access. To view the Be BiteSmart video and download colouring materials, visit www.bebitesmart.org.

“Each year thousands of young children are bitten by a family dog, many of which [cases] were preventable,” said Dr Nicholas Dodman, veterinary behaviourist and co-founder of the Center for Canine Behavior Studies. “Our educational videos focus on understanding canine body language that precipitates a reactionary bite. Collectively, we can reduce these occurrences benefitting both children, dogs, and families.”

7 tips to prevent dog bites

Dogs may bite for a variety of reasons, including improper care or lack of socialization. All dogs, even well-trained, gentle dogs, are capable of biting when provoked, especially when eating, sleeping, or caring for their puppies. The National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coalition provides the following tips:

• Make sure your pet is healthy. Not all illnesses and injuries are obvious, and dogs are more likely to bite if they are sick or in pain. If you haven’t been to the veterinarian in a while, schedule an appointment for a check-up to discuss your dog’s physical and behavioural health.
• Prioritize proper socialization. Socialization involves gently introducing your dog to a range of settings, people, and other animals, and ensuring these experiences are positive. Whether it’s quietly observing the bustle of a park, meeting new people in a controlled manner, or getting used to the sights and sounds of your neighbourhood, each positive experience builds confidence. Remember, socialization is a lifelong journey, not just a puppy phase.
• Take it slow. If your dog has been mainly interacting with your family since you brought it home, don’t rush out into crowded areas or dog parks. Try to expose your dog to new situations slowly and for short periods of time, arrange for low-stress interactions, and look for behaviours that indicate it is comfortable and happy to remain in the situation.
• Understand your dog’s needs and educate yourself in positive training techniques. Recognize your dog’s body language and advocate for them in all situations. This will give your dog much needed skills and help you navigate any challenges you might encounter.
• Be responsible about approaching other people’s pets. Ask permission from the owner before approaching a dog, and look for signs that the dog wants to interact with you. Sometimes dogs want to be left alone, and we need to recognize and respect that.
• Make sure you are walking your dog on a leash and recognize changes in its body language indicating it may not be comfortable.
• Always monitor your dog’s activity, even when it is in the backyard at your own house, because it can be startled by something, get out of the yard, and injure someone or get injured.

“Part of my job as a dog trainer and behaviour expert is to empower people with knowledge about the dogs with whom they share their lives,” said Victoria Stilwell, celebrity dog trainer and behaviour expert. “And it’s this knowledge that not only enriches the relationship between dogs and people, but helps reduce the likelihood of bites from occurring.”

Financial costs

In addition to the potential for physical or emotional harm, dog bites can be financially costly. Janet Ruiz, director of strategic communications at the Insurance Information Institute, reported that in 2023, the number of dog bite and related injury claims was 19,062, an increase of more than 8% from 2022 and a 110% increase over the past decade, with the total cost of claims at $1.12 billion.

On a positive note, the average cost per claim decreased from $64,555 in 2022 to $58,545 in 2023. California, Florida and Texas had the most claims.

“Education and training for owners and pets is key to keep everyone safe and healthy,” said Ruiz.

“As the largest property insurer in the country, State Farm is committed to educating people about pet owner responsibility and how to safely interact with dogs,” said Heather Paul, media relations specialist at State Farm. “It is important to recognize that any dog, including ones that are in the home, can bite or cause injury. Every dog has a unique personality and while breed or type may dictate how they look, how a dog reacts isn’t guaranteed by those qualities.”

“While dog bites are a serious public health issue, the good news is that most dog bites are preventable,” said AVMA President Carlson. “By taking steps to train and properly socialize our dogs, and educate ourselves and loved ones on dog bite prevention, we can help reduce bites and keep dogs in loving homes, where they belong.”