THE FACTS

-AN ESTIMATED 4.7 MILLION PEOPLE WILL BE BITTEN THIS YEAR.

-USUALLY BETWEEN 500,00 AND 800,000 PEOPLE WILL REQUIRE MEDICAL TREATMENT AS A RESULT OF BEING BITTEN.

-IN 2007 THERE WERE 33 FATAL DOG ATTACKS IN THE UNITED STATES.

-ABOUT 44,000 PEOPLE ANNUALLY ARE SEEN FOR FACIAL BITES, SPECIFICALLY THE NOSE, LIPS AND

CHEEKS.

WHO'S MOST AT-RISK:

-CHILDREN, PARTICULARLY THOSE BETWEEN AGES 5 AND 9.

-ADULT MALES.

-ANY HOUSEHOLD WITH DOGS.

HOW TO LESSEN THE RISKOF BEING BITTEN BY YOUR DOG:

-CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE BREED FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD AND LIFESTYLE. TAKE TIME TO DO THE RESEARCH ON BREEDS AND TALK WITH PROFESSIONALS.

-VISIT SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE DOG BEFORE ADOPTING OR BUYING.

-NEVER BRING A DOG WITH A HISTORY OF AGGRESSION INTO A HOUSEHOLD WITH CHILDREN.

-DOGS ARE SOCIAL ANIMALS. SPEND TIME WITH YOUR DOG, SOCIALIZE HIM TO DIFFERENT SITUATIONS AND PEOPLE. DOGS LEFT ALONE HAVE A GREATER CHANCE OF DEVELOPING BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS.

-ENROLL IN PUPPY CLASSES. TEACH BASIC COMMANDS: "SIT", "STAY", "NO", "COME".

-BECOME TUNED-IN TO YOUR DOG'S BEHAVIOR AND BE ALERT TO ANY SIGNS THAT HE IS

UNCOMFORTABLE.

-DO NOT PLAY AGGRESSIVE GAMES, SUCH AS WRESTLING AND TUG-OF-WAR.

-SPAY AND NEUTER DOGS TO HELP DETER AGGRESSIVE TENDENCIES.

-KEEP YOUR DOG HEALTHY AND UP-TO-DATE ON RABIES VACCINATION.

-TEACH CHILDREN HOW TO POSITIVELY INTERACT WITH DOGS. NEVER LEAVE INFANTS OR TODDLERS ALONE WITH A DOG.

-IMMEDIATELY SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP IF YOU ARE BITTEN.

HOW TO LESSEN THE RISK OF BEING BITTEN BY DOGS:

-DO NOT APPROACH AN UNFAMILIAR DOG. REPORT ANY STRAYS OR DOGS THAT ARE ACTING

STRANGELY.

-DO NOT REACH OVER A FENCE OR ANY BARRIER TO PET A DOG.

-AVOID DIRECT EYE CONTACT.

IF YOU ARE ATTACKED:

-STAY CALM, AVOID DIRECT EYE CONTACT. STAY STILL OR BACK AWAY SLOWLY.

-DO NOT RUN OR SCREAM.

-IF KNOCKED OVER, ROLL INTO A BALL, PROTECT YOUR FACE AND NECK, LIE STILL.

-IF BITTEN BY YOUR DOG, IMMEDIATELY CONFINE AND CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL REGARDING THE BEHAVIOR.

-IF BITTEN BY SOMEONE ELSE'S DOG, SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AND CONTACT THE AUTHORITIES. BE PREPARED TO GIVE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE TO THE AUTHORITIES.

WHAT TO TEACH CHILDREN:

-DOGS THAT ARE SLEEPING, EATING OR CARING FOR PUPPIES SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE.

-REMAIN MOTIONLESS (LIKE A TREE) IF APPROACHED BY A STRANGE DOG.

-ASK FOR THE OWNER'S PERMISSION BEFORE APPROACHING AN UNFAMILIAR DOG.

-DOGS NATURALLY LOVE TO CHASE & CATCH THINGS. A DOG MAY CHASE YOU IF YOU RUN FROM IT.

-REACHING THROUGH A FENCE TO PET A DOG MAY ACTUALLY SCARE THE DOG AND HE MAY BITE.

-PULLING A DOG'S EARS OR TAIL MAY CAUSE THE DOG TO BITE.

-DOGS THAT ARE HURT OR INJURED MAY BITE.

-KEEP YOUR FACE AWAY FROM A DOG.

-IF KNOCKED DOWN, CURL UP IN A BALL.