Dog bite prevention: Responsible pet ownership and animal safety

StatisticsFrequency-A survey' conducted by the American Pet Food In-stitute reports that we live with approximately 55 million dogs (in 38% of our homes).There are several sources of dog bite statistics available today; however, most authors agree that only a half to a quarter of bites are reported to the appropriate authorities, because many people who have been bitten do not seek medical attention.Therefore, the number of bites is likely higher than presented in this report.On average, there are 2 to 3 million dog bites reported annually in the United States .Dog bites represent 75 to 80% of animal bites.The latest Humane Society of the United States surveyl reports 4.7 million dog bites in 1995, with 2.8 million of those bites occurring in children.It is estimated that 30 to 50% of dog bites are provoked by the person bitten, usually over territorial issues.2 Another report 3 states that there are 300 to 700 bites/l00,000 people annually.Approximately 70% of all dog bites involve children. 4 In national surveys, 47% of schoolage children report haVing been bitten at least once.s Of the children bitten and for whom gender was reported, 55% were boys and 39% were girls .Dog bite injuries are the number 1 childhood public health problem reported, and the incidence is greater than the total number of cases of measles, mumps, and whooping cough combined.2 Children are overrepresented as a special group within dog bite statistics.Five percent of children 5 to 9 years old have been bitten by a dog I That represents 1148 Human-Canine Interactions