Town of Hamlin
Dog Control Services

Dog Bites

Dog bites are such a problem that the Humane Society calls it an epidemic. More than 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the U.S. and 10 to 20 people die annually as a result of dog bites. Most victims are children.

Dogs bite for a number of reasons, according to the Humane Society. They attack out of fear, to protect their territory or to establish their dominance over the person being bitten. Some dog owners mistakenly teach their dogs that biting is an acceptable form of play behavior. This leads to a number of infant deaths each year when dogs see them as “prey” and attack.

With so may factors contributing to dog bites, responsible dog owners need to take a number of actions to reduce dog bites. The Humane Society recommends that you:

• Spay or neuter your dog. Dogs are three times more likely to bite if they haven’t been spayed or neutered
• Train and socialize your dog so its comfortable being around different types of people and situations. Accompanying your dog to a training class is an excellent way to learn proper training and socializing techniques.
• Never play attack or tug-of-war games with your dog. Dogs don’t always understand the difference between play and real-life situations.
• Make your dog a part of the family. Dogs that spend a great deal of time alone in the backyard or tied to a chain often become dangerous. Well socialized dogs rarely bite.
• Be cautious with your dog if you don’t know how it will react to a situation. When a letter carrier or other service person comes to your door, be sure your dog is safely restrained or confined in another room before opening the door. Don’t allow your dog to bark, jump against the door or bite the mail as it comes through the mail slot. This will only teach your dog to bite the letter carrier.
• If your dog exhibits behavior such as growling, nipping or biting - even occasionally - seek professional advice from your veterinarian, an animal behaviorist, or a skilled dog trainer.

How to avoid getting bitten >

See Also:

• Rabies
• What to do if you are bitten
• Duties of the Dog Control Officer
• Complaint to have a dog confined
• New York State Dog License

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James Atkins
Dog Control Officer
Pager: 525-1608
Email: hamlindogcontrol@frontiernet.net

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