According to the Humane Society of the United States, 50 percent of children will be bitten by a dog before their 12th birthday. Children under the age of 5 are most likely to be bitten and most of these bites come from a dog that the child knows, e.g., the family dog or that of a relative or friend. So why are children more likely to be bitten by dogs than adults? A child moves faster than an adult and a fast movement can sometimes illicit a dog's chasing instinct and stimulates its prey drive. Children talk in higher pitched voices than adults, which can sometimes startle a dog and make it fearful. They can frustrate a dog by rough play and teasing, or they can inadvertently inflict pain with the pull of a tail or a poke in the eye. Younger children are closer to a dog's eye level, making it easier for a dog to feel threatened by eye-to-eye contact and for the child to be bitten in the face. It is also much harder for a child to read and understand a dog's body language and, therefore, miss vital signals that can put them in harm's way.

How should children protect themselves?

Parents and guardians need to be responsible for their dog at all times, without exception, and especially around children. A child should never be left unsupervised with a dog at any time, and dog and child should only be together when a responsible adult can actively supervise. This keeps both children and dogs safe. Education for parents and children is essential. It amazes me that adults seem to be more ignorant than children about how children should greet a dog.

MORE ABOUT CHILDREN AND DOG SAFETY