Kids = Poor Dog Body Language Understanding

Very Concerning, Most Bites Occur with Young Children... a Key Factor in This is Poor Dog Body Language Understanding.

• The Humane Society estimates 51% of dog bite victims are children.
• The American Veterinary Medical Association states that the rate of dog bites for children is highest between the ages of 5-9.
• Getting bitten by a dog is the second most frequent cause of visits to emergency rooms for children according to a survey done by Weiss HB, Friedman DI, Coben JH “Incidence of dog bite injuries treated in emergency departments,” in the JAMA 1998;279:53.
• Children are also more likely than adults to need medical attention, and are far more likely to be severely injured (CDC).
• Young children score badly in discriminating dog body language and look mainly at the face of the dog to make their decisions. Lakestani et al (2005)

Most Dog Bites Occur with a Known Dog, in a Familiar Place

• Most dog bites affecting young children occur during everyday activities and while interacting with familiar dogs (CDC).
• The vast majority of biting dogs (77%) belong to the victim’s family or a friend (CDC).
• 80% of dog bites happen at home. (Kahn et al (2004) Miller and Howell (2007).

https://kids-n-k9s.com/dog-bite-statistics-for-the-united-states/

Please research this subject extensively. Stats are subject to change on a daily basis. Remember, it is not the odds, but the stakes.