According to data tracked by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 25 different dog breeds were involved in biting incidents in 2006, a statistic that shows that any dog can bite if provoked.

To keep pets and people safe, veterinary professionals have joined forces. The third full week in May is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, and doctors promote year-round education of pet owners and parents. Teaching children how to approach dogs slowly and carefully as well as how to recognize warning signs are critical components of dog bite prevention. Remember, not all dogs are friendly and not all dogs want to be touched.

“Any dog may bite, even your family pet,” said Marie Wheatley, president of American Humane, an organization that works to protect children and animals. “Adults should always supervise children when they play with any dog, and they should teach children the best ways to approach and treat animals to avoid being bitten.”

Some children, eager to play or touch an animal’s soft fur, move quickly or lunge at dogs. Such abrupt actions can be misinterpreted by dogs as an attack, and dogs may try to protect themselves by snarling or biting.

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The study, an analysis of 84 cases of dog bites in children, also found that young children are especially vulnerable to severe bites in the head and neck areas, likely due to their short stature. The most common sites of bites to the head and neck were the cheeks (34 percent), lips (21 percent), and nose and ears (both 8 percent). More than half of the children (64 percent) suffered dog bite wounds in multiple locations, and the average wound size was 7.15 centimeters. Twenty-seven percent of dog bite injuries were caused by family pets. Pit bulls were the breed most commonly involved in attacks.

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-Inserting yourself into a dogfight
-Leaving a toddler or child alone with a dog
-Approaching a chained dog, especially if it is male and unaltered
-Encountering a group of dogs on the loose. Like the human “mob” mentality, normally obedient dogs often become violent when part of a pack
-Approaching a vehicle with a dog inside (or in the bed of a truck)

Always remember:

Do not pet a dog without first letting him see you
Do not lean your face close to a dog
Do not tease a dog, especially if it is chained
Do not startle a sleeping dog
Do not bother a dog that is eating
Do not disturb a dog that is caring for puppies
Do not turn your back on a dog and run away

If you think you may be attacked:

*Never scream and run
*Remain motionless, hands at your sides, and avoid eye contact with the dog
*Once the dog loses interest in you, slowly back away until he is out of sight
*If the dog does attack, “feed” him your jacket, purse, bicycle, or anything that you can put between yourself and the dog
*If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears and remain motionless. Try not to scream or roll around

In an evaluation of 84 cases of dog bites in children over an eight-year period, the authors found that most injuries were caused by family pets (27%), with a high frequency of injuries occurring during the summer months. While the reason for this is unknown, the authors suggest it may be because of children spending time outdoors playing with dogs in the warmer temperatures, or due to a general increase in the irritability of dogs during the warmer months.

The most common sites of bites to the head and neck were the cheeks (34%), lips (21%), and nose and ears (both 8%). Sixty-four percent suffered wounds in more than one location, with the average wound size 7.15 cm. Pit bulls were the breed most commonly cited as the cause for the attack.

The authors believe that by implementing more accurate and timely reporting of dog bites to local health authorities, medical professionals can be educated on how to identify trends and develop prevention strategies. The authors recommend a system for uniform data collection to include the circumstances of the dog bite (signs of provocation, adequacy of child supervision, breed of dog, sex of animal, spay/neuter status, history of prior aggression of the dog, dog restraint, time of event, patients previous histories of dog bites, length of dog ownership, location where dog bite injury occurred, disposition of dog afterwards, and vaccination profile rabies/tetanus). Furthermore, families should be made aware of the increased likelihood of dog bite injuries during the summer months.

It is estimated that 1 percent of all emergency room visits can be attributed to dog bite injuries, including 44,000 annual cases of facial injuries in the United States alone.