Peter Sellers as Clouseau in the Pink Panther, entering a hotel asks “Does your dog bite?” He was told no by the innkeeper. He reaches down to pet the little dog at the inn. Immediately, the dog grabs his gloved hand and shakes it, biting him. He says “I thought you said your dog does not bite.” The innkeeper replies “that is not my dog.”

Funny as this scene is, it illustrates the importance of accurate communication when you and your family are around pets you don’t know. But it is equally essential to know that many dog bites occur when people are interacting with dogs they think they are comfortable around, only to find out they were not as safe as they expected to be.

Safety must always be a priority around dogs and cats, particularly when the interaction involves small children or older people. Small children cannot understand the dangers of pets. They don’t perceive the signals pets may give as warnings. Most importantly, because they are so small, they are vulnerable to bites on the face and neck and can be severely bitten, maimed, or even killed in an instant by an aggressive dog. Elderly people can easily be knocked off balance and seriously bitten. Additionally, elderly people may be frail, immunocompromised from medications or age, or be on anti-coagulants (blood thinners), making the outcome of bites more serious than in younger people.

As a veterinarian, I spend my life with the dogs and cats I love to work with. However, that puts me and my team at a higher risk of exposure than the average person, other than delivery people. Surprisingly, we hear from owners all the time that their beloved pet “would never bite”, only to receive a cheap shot or a connecting bite. So, I am uniquely in a position to help other pet owners be protected from injury.

Pets bite and/or scratch for a variety of reasons. Pets may bite because they are scared, sick, overly aroused, injured, startled, threatened, stressed, or protective. Sometimes this is intentional, but at times, the pet may inadvertently or accidentally cause an injury. Regardless of the intent, a bite or scratch can lead to the need for medical attention and legal ramifications.

Here are some important tips to keep you and your family safe. Risky situations can be avoided or managed in the following ways:

1. Teach children to avoid petting or touching a pet without the permission of the owner.
2. Keep your children close to you and from running up on pets, whether you know them or not. Do not let them approach any pet rapidly, especially from behind or when they are sleeping, eating, or playing with a toy. These are the times pets are most likely to lash out.
3. Teach your children not to put their fingers and hands through fences, crates, or car windows. In these settings, pets are protective of their resources.
4. Don’t approach or interact with a pet who is not with his or her owner, or is otherwise sick, injured, stressed, or distressed. These pets are more likely to bite, scratch, or try to escape the situation.
5. Avoid interacting with a pet who is growling, stiff, barking, hiding, or trying to get away. This body language is indicative of danger looming.

As a pet owner, you can help protect your pet from situations that can lead to human injury. In the case of injury, your pet may end up quarantined in your home, in a shelter or veterinary clinic, and in the worst situation, euthanized. Legal authorities have the power to require confinement. Insurance companies may dictate the removal of the pet from your home or euthanasia. While keeping your pet up to date on his or her rabies vaccinations, this will not protect you from a serious outcome.

To protect your pets and people:

1. Keep your pet where she or he cannot cause harm. Allow him or her to have their own space.
2. Never leave a young child or baby alone with a pet. Constant supervision leads to the safest outcome for the child and the pet. Teach children to treat all pets gently, respecting their space. Avoid allowing children to enter crates and kennels where pets should be allowed to rest and relax.
3. Keep your pet’s rabies vaccinations up to date. All first rabies vaccines are only good for 1 year. Some boosters may be good for 1 year, while others may last 3 years, based on the species of the pet, the type of vaccine used, and the municipality where the pet lives.
4. Select a pet with the breed genetics, skill set, age, and activity level that is most likely to fit your lifestyle.
5. Work hard as puppies and kittens to socialize him or her. This includes introductions to a variety of people and situations so they are comfortable. Be sure to teach your pet to accept a leash and collar or harness, a crate, and transportation. Training classes are essential in this socialization.
6. Should you have a pet show aggressive behavior, immediately seek the assistance of a veterinary behaviorist (Diplomate ACVB), a veterinarian with behavior experience and training, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), or a qualified Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT).
7. Spaying or neutering a pet will not improve his or her personality or social skills.

We hope this article has given you some knowledge on why dog bites happen and how they can be avoided so that we can all enjoy spending time with the animals we love!