Sunday, May 22, 2011

What Happens When You Get A Dog Bite



Today is the last day of Dog Bite Prevention Week. There are over 5 million dog bites in America with over half of the happening to children. Children between 5 and 9 years old are most frequently affected.

Tale Of An Unforeseen Dog Bite


This past Friday, I went to walk a new dog. It was a new dog that I misread the warning signs and got bitten pretty badly on the hand. The pain was so sharp it affected the joints. I wound up going to the hospital to stop the bleeding and make sure there were no chipped bones. Luckily, no stitches were needed and no bones were broken.

Aside from getting a tetanus shot and having quite a bit of swelling, I turned out ok. However, many people get even more serious damage from a dog bite. Here are some tips to prevent dog bites:

  • Never stare a dog directly in the eyes. It can be seen as a form of aggression.
  • Never disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating or tending to her puppies.
  • Don't run past a dog. It can bring out their aggressive side.
  • Never reach through a fence to pet a dog.
  • Never leave children alone with a dog.
  • Walk your dog regularly for mental stimulation.

What To Do If A Dog Bites You

  • Clean the affected area with soap and water.
  • Go to the hospital if the bite is severe.
  • Keep the wound covered with bandages and antiseptic ointment.

Dog bites can be preventable if you heed the signs of aggression.

Let's Discuss!


What tip can you offer regarding dog bites?

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Dog Bite Prevention Week

3 comments:

  1. Sorry this happened to you Elena. I hope your hand recovers quickly! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Pat. It's getting better and the swelling has gone down. Hopefully, I'll be back to myself in no time.

    ReplyDelete
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