School is out for summer, but even while students were still in school, calls to Habersham County authorities reporting dog bites were increasing, officials say. In response, Habersham County Animal Care and Control has embarked on an information campaign to make people aware of the potential dangers.
“In the summertime, we always see an increase in bites. Kids are out of school, people are outdoors more, and we just wanted to be proactive and offer them some important statistics and ways to stay safe,” says Habersham County Animal Control Director Madi Nix.
While Nix says things have “been pretty tame” as far as biting incidents this year, she says following these few simple guidelines can help protect you and your children:
- Respect an animal’s space. Animals who feel crowded or threatened may go into defensive mode.
- Remember that anything with teeth can bite.
- Always supervise children around animals, including family pets.
- Ask permission from the owner before touching/petting an animal.
- Make sure all pets have current vaccinations before allowing children to play with them.
- Never taunt or tease pets.
- Do NOT handle wildlife! This includes babies, even if they appear to be alone.
What do studies show about why dogs bite?
- According to the Centers for Disease Control, 800,000 people seek medical attention for dog bites each year, half of which are children.
- Dog bites are most prevalent among children ages 5 to 9 and more prevalent among boys.
- Children under 4 years old are most likely bitten in the head or neck due to their height.
- Children are most likely bitten by dogs they know.
- Children under 6 are often bitten in circumstances involving food or possession, while older children are bitten when approaching or invading a dog’s territory. That risk increases when living in households with multiple dogs.
- Family pets inflict two-thirds of dog bites to children.
- A dog is more likely to bite children he knows while guarding his food.
- A dog is more likely to bite children he doesn’t know while protecting his territory.
- Most dog aggression toward children is fear-based, though many dogs will also show aspects of food, possessive, and territorial aggression as well.
What should I do if I’ve been bitten by a dog?
- Seek medical attention, if necessary, but only dial 9-1-1 in a true emergency.
- Follow up with local authorities when necessary. Dog bites may be reported to Animal Control at (706) 839-0496.
- If the bite is from an unknown animal, seek medical attention right away. Document as many details as possible. Photos are important, when possible, for quarantine purposes.
- If at all possible, obtain proof of rabies vaccination and give to medical professionals in order to streamline treatment options.
