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The original item was published from 7/16/2015 8:28:51 AM to 7/16/2015 9:04:39 AM.

News Flash

Animal Control

Posted on: July 16, 2015

[ARCHIVED] Summer is Peak Dog Bite Season

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Summer is a time when kids are home from school, we enjoy spending more time outdoors, and … it’s peak dog bite season!

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports:

* More than 4.5 million people in the US are bitten by dogs each year, and almost 1 in 5 of those people require medical attention

* Children are, by far, the most common victims of dog bites and are far more likely to be severely injured

* Most dog bites affecting young children occur during everyday activities and while interacting with familiar dogs

* Senior citizens are the second most common dog bite victims

All dogs are capable of biting so paying attention to a dog’s body language is one important way to prevent a bite. The Humane Society of the United States lists the following as signals that a dog is uncomfortable and might bite:

* Tensed body
* Stiff tail
* Pulled back head and/or ears
* Furrowed brow
* Eyes rolled so the whites are visible
* Yawning
* Flicking tongue
* Intense stare
* Backing away

If you are approached by a dog that you think might attack, be still like a tree and avoid eye contact until it loses interest in you.

If you are the victim of a dog bite in unincorporated Snohomish County, contact our Animal Control Services hotline at 425-388-3440.

For more dog bite tips, see the AVM's Dog Bite Prevention brochure.

AVM's Dog Bite Prevention brochure...
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