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1. Who's being bitten?

Children make up more than 60% of all dog bite victims. The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates half of all children 12 and younger have been bitten by a dog. The elderly, and home service people like mail carriers and meter readers also are high on the list of frequent dog bite victims.

2. What can dog owners do to prevent bites?

• Be alert. Know your dog. You should naturally be alert to signs of illness, but you must also watch for signs your dog is uncomfortable or feeling aggressive.
• Before and after selection, your veterinarian is the best source for information about behavior and suitability.
• Keep your dog healthy. Have your dog vaccinated against rabies and preventable infectious diseases. Parasite control is important to how your dog feels and behaves.
• Make sure your pet is socialized as a young puppy, so it feels at ease around people and other animals. Expose your puppy to a variety of situations a little at a time and under controlled circumstances; continue that exposure on a regular basis as your dog gets older. If you're not sure how your dog will react to a large crowd or a busy street, be cautious. Don't put your dog in a position where it feels threatened or teased.
• Neuter your pet. It's a fact: Neutered dogs are less likely to bite. Be a responsible pet owner. License your dog with the community as required. Obey leash laws. Dogs are social animals; spending time with your pet is important. Dogs that are frequently left alone have a greater chance of developing behavior problems.
• Train your dog. The basic commands "sit," "stay," "no" and "come" can be incorporated into fun activities which build a bond of obedience and trust between pets and people. Don't play aggressive games like wrestling or tug-of-war with your dog.

3. How can I avoid being bitten?

• Be cautious around strange dogs and treat your own pet with respect.
• Be on the lookout for potentially dangerous situations.
• Children must be taught not to approach strange dogs; children should be taught to ask permission from a dog's owner before petting the dog
• Don't run past a dog. Dogs naturally love to chase and catch things. Don't give them a reason to become excited or aggressive.
• If a dog approaches to sniff you - stay still. In most cases, the dog will go away when it determines you're not a threat.
• If someone else's dog bit you, contact authorities and tell them everything you can about the dog: the owner's name, if you know it, color and size of the dog, where you saw it and if you've seen it before. These details may help animal-control officers locate the dog.
• If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your head and neck. Protect your face.
• If you're threatened by a dog, remain calm. Don't scream. If you say anything, speak calmly and firmly. Avoid eye contact. Try to stay still until the dog leaves, or back away slowly until the dog is out of sight. Don't turn and run.
• Never disturb a dog that's caring for puppies, sleeping, or eating.
• Never leave a baby or small child alone with a dog.
• Teach young children to be careful around pets.