Causes of dog bites and dog attack injuries

Why dogs bite

Most dogs are loving companions to their owners, and safe for other people. But even a friendly dog may bite if it feels threatened. A dog may also bite if it is angry, afraid or hurt. Some breeds have been bred to be aggressive, increasing the likelihood that they will attack, especially if the victim is running away. Some dog owners train their dog, of whatever breed, to be aggressive.

Most dog bite victims know the dog that bites them. It may be the family dog or a relative’s or neighbor's dog. Children are frequent dog attack victims, usually because in the course of their play with the dog they have gotten the animal excited.

Canines have been bred to be protective. They protect what they most value, such as their puppies, their food, or favorite toys. They also protect spaces—their own and their owners’. Dogs may defend areas where they eat and sleep, and yards, porches, and parked cars when they are in them. A hand reaching through a fence into a dog’s yard, or a person at the front can mobilize an intense protective instinct, transforming a loving family pet into a snarling, aggressive protector.

Most dog bite injuries to children happen during play with a dog the child knows, often the family’s own dog. Dogs that live with children, or are frequently exposed to children must be able to tolerate a degree of rough treatment without resorting to biting. When a dog is excited or nervous or fearful of people, it is more likely to bite by mistake.

Dog attacks are more likely to occur when they feel endangered. A variety of stressors may cause dogs to feel endangered. Strays are frequently maltreated and may become more aggressive to protect themselves. Sick or injured dogs may also be afraid or irritable. Elderly dogs may have impaired vision or hearing, or be more sensitive to touch; all of these conditions can cause them to be more easily startled. Cornering a dog, crowding it, or standing over it may make a dog feel defensive.

Are some dog breeds more dangerous?

Research published by the American Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA in 2000 identified Rottweilers and Pit Bulls as the dogs responsible for more than half the deaths by dog attack in the previous 20 years. While some may agree that each dog should be independently evaluated, it seems prudent to avoid contact with these two breeds, and especially to educate young children to avoid them.

Other breeds have also been involved in fatal attacks, and AVMA’s position is that breed is only one influence driving a dog’s tendency to bite and attack. In a position paper on dog bite prevention programs AVMA experts identify five interacting factors that influence a dog’s tendency to bite and attack. These are heredity, early experience, later socialization and training, health (medical and behavioral), and victim behavior.

Other predictors of danger are gender and spay/neuter status. Male dogs attack and bite more than three times as frequently as female dogs. Neutered and spayed dogs of either gender are far less likely to attack than non-spayed and non-neutered.

Dog owners’ responsibilities

Responsible dog owners, no matter what their dog’s breed, recognize their obligation to keep others safe, and to reduce the chances of their dog’s attacking and biting people. The American Veterinary Medical Association outlines some commonsense steps for dog owners to reduce the risk that their dog will attack or bite someone. These include:

• Carefully consider your pet selection. Don’t by a puppy on impulse. Before and after selection, your veterinarian is the best source for information about choice of a suitable breed and your dog’s behavior.
• 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.
• Make sure your dog is socialized as a young puppy so it feels at ease around people and other animals. Gradually expose your puppy to a variety of situations under controlled circumstances; continue that exposure on a regular basis as your dog gets older. Don't put your dog in a position where it feels threatened or teased.
• Wait until your child is older. Because so many dog bites happen to younger children, it is suggested that parents wait until children are older than 4 years of age before getting a dog.
• 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. Avoid highly excitable games like wrestling or tug-of-war. Use a leash in public to control your dog.
• Keep your dog healthy. Have your dog vaccinated against rabies and preventable infectious diseases. Parasite control and other health care are important because how your dog feels directly affects how it behaves.
• Neuter your pet. It's a fact: neutered dogs are three times less likely to bite.
• Be alert. Know your dog. Be alert to signs of illness. Also watch for signs your dog is uncomfortable or feeling aggressive.