Children Bitten By Dogs - Part One - Seattle Dog Bite Attorney

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are an estimated 68 million dogs kept as pets in the United States.  There are more than 1 million dog bites reported each year.  And there are estimates that an equal number of dog bites (1 million) go unreported every year.  Of the one million or so dog bites reported each year, about 60% involve an injury to a child.  Approximately 70% of dog bite wounds are inflicted on the child’s face.  Children ages 5 to 9 have the highest dog bite-related injuries.
More than 60% of dog bites occur in the home of the dog owner.  Approximately 77% of dog bite victims are members or close friends of the dog owner’s family and are therefore familiar with the dog.

Contrary to popular myth, there is no such thing as a child-friendly dog breed.  Although some breeds may be more suitable for children, a dog’s propensity to bite is dependent on many factors, including without limitation, the dog’s inherited traits, environment, training, and socialization.  Studies have shown that the most positive influence on a dog’s comfort around children is the opportunity to positively interact with the child when the dog is a young puppy.

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