Beware of the dog bite: a guide for owners

  • Published
  • By Spc. Rae-Ann Malcolm
  • Vet Clinic
Grand Forks AFB, ND --  Owning a dog brings a great deal of enjoyment, but also carries with it a series of responsibilities. If owners are not aware of these responsibilities, then communities can grow to dislike the dogs in their areas and anti-dog attitudes can develop. 

Putting your dog on a leash shows that you care for your dog and respect the other people and their pets who are enjoying the same area. Leashing your dog is often a municipal law, punishable with fines up to $500. It prevents exposing others to unwanted encounters with your pet. In addition, leashing can stop your dog from following that squirrel across the street into traffic. 

Each year, there are more than four million dog bites in the United States. Children are the victims in about 60 percent of all bites. Letter carriers and delivery persons are also very likely to be bitten. The old saying "Oh don't worry my dog wont bite," is an ignorant statement that many pet owners make about their dogs. Any dog can bite at any time; you never know what might set off a dog. 

Why Do Dogs Bite?
If you have been around dogs, then you know that different dogs and breeds have different personalities and temperaments. Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, but are distant relatives of wild dogs that had to hunt for a living and defend themselves. Nature equipped them with teeth to do it. 

Dogs are intelligent and some dogs are territorial. When you are on "their" property, they want to know what you are doing, your intentions and when you are leaving. Some dogs are protective of their family or owners. Some dogs have been trained to be aggressive by their owners or have been tormented by strangers and are more aggressive. These dogs will challenge anyone that approaches. 

Until you know a particular dog, treat each with respect and be aware that they might bite. Never approach a strange dog head on and never lean over and offer your hand to sniff or pet a strange dog. These can be perceived threats and provoke a bite.