Health care groups, US Postal Service collaborate to address dog bite prevention

The U.S. Postal Service, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery and other health care groups are raising awareness for National Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 17-May 23), according to a press release.

According to the release, reconstructive procedures to repair dog bites increased by 6% (28,500 procedures) between 2013 and 2014. The CDC estimated that 4.7 million Americans are victims to dog bites each year, half of which are children. Among children, most bites (66%) occurred to the head and neck.

“As pediatricians, we see the injuries dog bites can cause,” Sandra Hassink, MD, FAAP, president of the AAP, said in the release. “In addition to teaching children about safety when riding their bike or walking to school, it’s important to educate them about how to stay safe around dogs.”

After children, the elderly and U.S. Postal Service carriers are the most frequent populations who are bitten by dogs, according to the U.S. Postal Service.

To prevent dog bites, medical experts said to remain calm, avoid eye contact and stand still in the presence of a threatening dog, according to the release. They add:

Never leave infants or small children alone with a dog.
Educate children how to determine if a dog looks friendly and to ask permission from the dog owner before petting a dog. Allow the dog to sniff the child first and avoid the dog’s face, head and tail.
Inform children never to interact with a dog while it is sleeping, eating or nursing puppies and not to run past a dog.

If bitten, the experts said to:

rinse the area with soapy water;
keep bitten limbs elevated;
apply pressure to bleeding bites, then wash, dry and cover the wound with sterile dressing — not tape or butterfly bandages; and
alert a physician in case antibiotics or a tetanus shot is needed or, for serious bites, report to an emergency room or call 9-1-1.

During an emergency room visit, victims should inform medical professionals of their tetanus vaccination status, the dog’s vaccine status, the owner of the dog and if the dog has bitten someone in the past, according to the release.

The organizations recommend that anyone who considers owning a dog should discuss how to choose one with a veterinarian. They add that dog owners should socialize, train and neuter their pets to reduce aggressive behavior.

“Even the friendliest dog may bite when startled or surprised,” Gregory R.D. Evans, MD, FACS, president of the ASRM, said in the release. “Most children love dogs and like to put their faces up close to the dog’s face. Parents should never permit this. Injuries to the face and hands can be disfiguring or disabling and require prompt, expert medical attention.”