Fido may be your best friend, but don’t assume it’s your neighbor’s best friend.  According to the Center for Disease Control, the most recent recorded dated indicated that in 1994, 4.7 million dog bites occur in the United States.  Of those, 799,700 victims required medical attention.  Why does this happen?  Following are some of the reasons why dogs bite.

The animal is:

·        unleashed in a public area and escapes from its owner.

·        not secured in a controlled area.

·        aggravated by rough play.

·        approached by a stranger and feels threatened.


As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to restrain your dog(s) so that unwanted bites don’t occur.  It is important to always have control of your dog when in public areas, such as the park or your neighborhood.  If your dog is very territorial and is easily provoked in public, purchasing a muzzle may be the best way to ensure that if your dog becomes unruly in a public area and escapes, it will not bite another person or another dog and cause serious injury.


Ensure that your property is completely secure when allowing your dog(s) outside.  It is negligent for dog owners to allow their dog to roam inside a fence that is damaged.  As a dog owner, regular maintenance of fences, gates, doors, and any points of ingress is essential to ensure that your dog(s) stay inside and unwanted visitors stay outside.


It is also the responsibility of the dog owner to verbally warn others not to approach, rough house, or irritate the dog when out in public or on private property.  Injuries often result from a dog that becomes uneasy and snaps at a stranger.  Sometimes, the dog will lower its guard after sniffing a stranger’s hand and allow the stranger to pet it.  If the dog growls or shows others signs of aggression, it is the owner’s responsibility to pull the dog away and prohibit further petting.


Children are highest at risk for dog bites.  It is common for children to rough house with a dog, which can result in an attack.  It is critical to monitor children around your dog, and identify who is at potential risk to experiencing your dog’s wrath.  Many times calm and well-behaved dogs will turn on a child who is pulling too hard on its ears or hurting it in some fashion.  Make sure, as a dog owner, you are aware if there are any children near your dog and make it very clear to the child how to play and how not to play with the dog.  If you observe unsafe behavior occurring, remove the threat, either the children or the dog.


Dogs can be very unpredictable, and it is hard to always know what your dog will do.  However, heightening your awareness of your environment and knowing the distressful visual signs of your dog(s) state can be a significant preventative factor in avoiding dog bites.  Always restrain your dog in public and make sure that your private property is secure so that the chances of your dog biting someone are less likely to occur.

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