subject: Postal Workers Risk Dog Bites Every Single Day [print this page] Every year close to 3,000 postal workers are bitten by dogs as they deliver the mail. This is just a small fraction of the total number of people bitten each year. Although exact numbers are difficult to determine, the Center for Disease Control estimates that 4.7 million people are bitten annually.
Of these, nearly 800,000 are serious enough to require some medical attention. Hospital emergency rooms see an average of 1000 people per day for dog bites, totaling over 350,000 per year. The statistics are quite grim. Although most people are usually bitten on their lower extremities, most dog bites occur on the face and upper body.
Those at highest risk are males and children under the age of ten. In fact, dog bites are one of the top five reasons children seek treatment in emergency facilities. With the increase in dog ownership comes a corresponding increase in the number of interactions between dogs and humans in daily life. If injured by a dog, seek the help of a personal injury attorney. Laws and insurance issues involving dogs are complex. Fatal dog attacks are rare but on the increase. In 2007 there were 33 deaths caused by dog attacks, 23 in 2008, and 30 in 2009. The average number of fatalities was 17 per year in the 1980s and 1990s. An increase can clearly be seen.
Dog breeds responsible for almost three quarters of the deadly attacks are pit bull type dogs such as Rottweilers, Presa Canarios, and mixed breeds that are primarily of these three types of dog. Considering there are approximately 75 million dogs in the United States the incidence of fatal attacks are rare. Prevention of dog bites requires both education and an increase in responsible behavior of dog owners. Parents can teach children to never approach a sleeping, eating or nursing dog. Teasing or surprising dogs leads to many of the bites inflicted on children. Preventing these behaviors is possible. Young children should never be left unattended around animals.
An adult presence can go a long way in assuring that pet and child interactions are under control. Many cities, towns and states have laws that govern dog owners. Leash laws, licensing and liability issues are determined at local and state levels. Increasing numbers of communities are banning pit bull type dogs. This lowers the chances for fatal attacks but does not address the issue of bites, as pit bulls are not responsible for most bites.
Pet stores and dog breeders should advise families picking out a dog which breeds are better family dogs. Families should also do research on breeds to find ones that best fit with their lifestyle. Seventy percent of dog bites are by a dog that is a friend's or the family's own dog.
Many of these bites can be prevented by education and responsible behavior. Over half of all dog bites occur on the owner's property. A combination of adequate laws, enforcement of the laws and education of the public can help decrease the number of negative interactions with dogs.
