Dog Bite Prevention Week

Susy Owen

Attorney

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Every parent has concerns about dog bites, whether you own a pet or not. People often unintentionally provoke an animal to bite. So, it is not surprising that children under the age of 10 years old are the most common victims of dog bites.

A study published by the American Veterinary Medical Journal found that "boys aged 5 to 9 years have the highest incidence rate of dog bites and that children seen in emergency departments were more likely than older persons to be bitten on the face, neck and head." How can we protect children from what is, according to emergency room statistics, an epidemic of dog bites?

Awareness is key. It is a good idea to check you local community listings for canine conduct classes. It would be time well spent and can be immensely beneficial. Additionally, the third week in May is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the United States Postal Service, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are groups that are all working to promote canine awareness. Contact any or all of these groups for additional information.