Preventing dog bites

For dog owners

Unfortunately, too many times the victims of dog bites are children, either children who are members of the dog's own household or children who are visitors to the household. Studies have identified several factors that are associated with dogs which are involved in bites. Dogs that have one or more of these factors are more likely to bite that dogs with no risk factors.

Risk factors associated with biting dogs are:

• Dogs that are unaltered (both male and female dogs)

• Dogs that are maintained outside all or most of the time

• Dogs that are chained outside

• Dogs that have never undergone any formal obedience training

• Dogs whose owners play roughly with them, or play aggressive "mouth" games such as tug-of-war with the dog

Reduce the chances of your dog being involved in a biting incident by avoiding these risk factors. Make your dog a family pet and have him live inside your home with the rest of your family. Avoid chaining your dog - take him for walks instead. Alter your pet as soon as possible. The American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Kennel Club, and local and national humane groups have all endorsed spaying and neutering of animals as young as 8 weeks. Neutering can be done at a lower fee through the Division's low-cost neutering program. And take your dog to an obedience course. It's good exercise and a lot of fun for both you and your pet. It's also a great way to meet other pet owners and get advice from an expert on animal behavior.

For those who may be confronted by a strange dog

• Do not run away. Stand quietly, your hands at your side. Face the dog, but do not look him directly in the eyes. Remain until the dog loses interest, or back away slowly and calmly, until you reach safety. Never turn your back on the dog.

• If the dog tries to bite, "feed" him your purse, jacket, backpack or anything else in an effort to protect yourself.

• If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears. Remain as still as possible, and do not scream or yell.

Which breeds bite the most?

The Division of Animal Control and Humane Treatment maintains extensive records on all reported dog bites in Montgomery County, including records of the primary breed of the biting dog and the severity of the bite.

In 1998, there were 102 dog bites defined as being "major" meaning that the bite was severe enough that victim required stitches.

Following is the list of the top ten biting breeds in Montgomery County in 1998:

• Chow Chows -- 9 major bites

• Labrador Retrievers -- 9 major bites

• German Shepherds -- 7 major bites

• Pit Bulls -- 7 major bites

• Akitas -- 5 major bites

• Dalmatians -- 5 major bites

• Rottweilers -- 5 major bites

• Beagles -- 4 major bites

• English Springer Spaniels -- 4 major bites

• Collies -- 3 major bites

• Jack Russell Terriers -- 3 major bites (tied for 10th)

Many people are surprised by this list. Serious attacks inflicted by certain breeds such as pit bulls and Rottweilers tend to receive a lot of media publicity, while equally serious attacks by other breeds rarely, if ever, receive any media attention. As a result, many people to believe that pit bulls and Rottweilers inflict most, if not all, of the major bites in Montgomery County. The list above shows that other breeds inflict more major bites, but just don't receive the publicity.

This list should not be used as the final guide in judging whether an individual dog is a "good" dog or a "bad" dog based solely on its breed. Every dog, given the right circumstances, is capable of inflicting a bite. But, remember that most dogs of whatever breed will never inflict a bite in their entire lives. It is not fair to judge entire breeds because of the actions of a few members of that breed.