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Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States needs medical attention because of a dog bite.

And most of those victims are children.

13-year-old Wesley was visiting a friend, when the friend’s dog attacked.

“Dogs are very territorial,” says Dr. Mike Ziegler with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. “So if you’re in their environment and you do anything they take as threatening, they will react to that.”

Wesley was bitten on the ankle and thigh. “One of the things that’s real important for you,” the doctor tells him, “is that we want to make sure that the dog is safe and had its shots. Otherwise we have to be worried about things like rabies.”

Rabies is a rare but lethal virus, sometimes passed on to humans through animal bites.

If an animal blamed for biting someone is thought to have rabies, or if that animal cannot be found, the bitten person may have to undergo a series of five injections over a four-week period.

“The sad truth is, is that if you’re exposed to rabies and you don’t get treated with any of these treatments, if you develop the disease it’s 100% fatal,” says Dr. Ziegler.

In most dog bite incidents we blame the dog. But experts say that, often, it’s not entirely the animal’s fault.

“Most bites are provoked,” says Dr. Ziegler. “We don’t like to think that they are provoked, but in reality they truly are. Especially when you put an animal that doesn’t know a child together with a child who’s very curious and wants to go and pet the animal. Sometimes they want to hug them around the neck, which is the last thing you want to do to an animal that doesn’t know you. That’s sort of a recipe for disaster.”

After Wesley’s wounds are cleaned and bandaged, he gets the good news. The dog’s rabies shots are up-date.

What We Need To Know

• Make sure children know some basic rules when around dogs: don’t approach unfamiliar dogs if they’re not leashed; always ask the person holding the leash if you may pet the dog. The child should also “ask” the dog’s permission by calling the animal, and giving them a chance to smell their hand. If the dog doesn’t come to your call, don’t try to pet it. If the dog does come, move gently and slowly. Pet the animal on its shoulder or back – not its head or tail. And never, ever tease a dog. (San Francisco SPCA)
• Some more good rules to teach children about dogs: never run from a dog and scream; be still when approached by an unfamiliar dog. If a dog knocks you over, roll up into a ball and lie still. Never disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies. Also, avoid direct eye contact with dogs – and if bitten, tell a grown-up at once. (University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine)
• If bitten by a dog, immediately wash the wound with soap and warm water. Wash the wound thoroughly – to remove as much germ-carrying dirt and saliva as possible. Apply antibiotic ointment after washing, cover the wound with a bandage – and seek medical treatment at once. If the animal has been vaccinated, the possibility of rabies is very unlikely. But other infections, including tetanus, are a possibility with any bite wound. (Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine)

Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• American Veterinary Medical Association

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