According to related data, every 40 seconds in the United States, one person requires medical treatment due to a dog bite, totaling 800,000 cases a year, half of which are children. 80% of children bitten by dogs are caused by their own family dogs (30%) or neighbors' dogs (50%). In China, children being bitten by dogs also occurs frequently, which must draw the attention of parents and dog owners. Below, the PetsZone editor will take you through related knowledge to help us better avoid situations where children are bitten by dogs.

　　1 No breed of dog is absolutely non-biting

　　American researchers analyzed 537 cases of children bitten by dogs and found that mixed-breed dogs accounted for 20%, Labradors for 10%, Rottweilers and German Shepherds combined for 10%, and Golden Retrievers only 3%. Although gentle breeds rarely harm children, popular pet breeds like Labradors can also attack children. Stray dogs are even more likely to bite children.

　　2 Why do dogs tend to bite children?

　　Dogs are more likely to attack children in the following scenarios: when the dog feels the child (especially under 6 years old) may take away its food or toys; when the dog feels its territory is invaded by the child; when guarding its food, dogs may attack familiar children who come suddenly; dogs can attack unfamiliar children due to territorial protection. Dogs may also attack babies or toddlers who cry loudly or scream due to irritability.

　　In addition, most dogs suffer from bone and skin infections, and half have eye, liver, kidney, or other physiological diseases. These illnesses worsen as the dog ages, causing increasing pain, which can lead to the dog attacking children.

　　3 Dogs also bite out of excitement

　　Sometimes, dogs suddenly attack children while playing excitedly. In such cases, dogs may become excited due to children's screaming or sudden movements and want to join in. Unfortunately, they may use the way they play with other dogs—using paws and teeth—which clearly leads to tragedy.

　　4 Where do dogs like to bite children most?

　　Children have smaller physiques and less deterrence to dogs, and staring into a dog's eyes can make the dog feel threatened. Children and dogs are about the same height, and this equal-level stare especially causes dogs to feel threatened. Tragically, because children are short, dogs can easily reach their faces or even knock them down. Many children bitten by dogs are injured on the face, which is horrific.

　　5 Signs that a dog is about to bite

　　When a dog is preparing to attack, it generally shows obvious signs. Recognizing these signs and responding correctly can help lessen harm. If a dog’s ears are pinned back tightly against the head, legs are tense, and fur on the back is raised, be cautious. If it barks fiercely and shows teeth or gums, it really intends to bite.

　　6 How to avoid tragic incidents

　　To prevent dog bites, parents must:

　　1. Avoid taking children to dog markets and never let children interact with dogs alone;

　　2. When encountering dogs on the street, do not let children touch them rashly, and only do so under parental supervision and owner consent;

　　3. Remind children not to run around wildly, especially when they see dogs, as it can provoke a chase and injury;

　　4. Teach children not to test a dog’s patience and never throw stones or sharp objects at dogs;

　　5. If there are pets at home, forbid pets from entering the baby’s room or sleeping with the baby;

　　6. Absolutely do not approach dogs that are eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies. Dogs are more alert in these situations and may bite due to food or puppy protection instincts.

　　If a child is bitten by a dog, immediately send them to the hospital for treatment without delay. Besides parental and child vigilance, dog owners must also be careful. When walking dogs, always use a leash. Moreover, studies show dogs chained have a 2.8 times higher chance of biting people compared to ordinary dogs. Therefore, owners must keep a close watch on their dogs to prevent accidental harm to themselves or others.