Dog Bite Prevention Week: Even the Bestest Boys and Girls Can Bite
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Dog Bite Prevention Week: Even the Bestest Boys and Girls Can Bite (posted April 16, 2025)

By Adam Behnke, Brown County Public Health Communications Specialist 

I have noticed a trend in recent days as the weather has slowly but surely improved into springtime temperatures. It’s as if dogs (and their owners) have emerged from hiding and winter’s hibernation, and now suddenly fill the sidewalks and parks of Brown County. For anyone who owns a dog, they’ll know this often presents a challenge when out on a walk of their own. This nearly constant barrage of four-legged foot traffic at nearly every turn makes it difficult for your pup to focus on the walk itself and instead they become deeply invested in trying to meet their new best friend or in barking empty warnings at this newfound enemy across the street. 

But what about when the warnings aren’t empty? When a dog suddenly proves they aren’t just “all bark and no bite”? It doesn’t matter whether they are large or small, male or female, young or old. Even the fuzziest, friendliest pupper can bite if provoked. It’s the reason for Dog Bite Prevention Week: to teach about why dogs end up biting and what we as their humans can do to prevent it.  

Dog Bites: A Public Health Concern 

Dog bites are a significant public health concern, even though many people would not think they are off the top of their head. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says there are approximately 90 million dogs in the United States, which amounts to about 45% of homes having at least one dog. Each year, 4.5 million people, most frequently children, are bitten by a dog. Aside from the physical toll of the bite and serious risk of rabies infection, dog bites carry a heavy financial toll, as well. The AVMA indicates the average cost for a single dog bite insurance claim is more than $58,000. In 2023, insurers are said to have paid out $1.2 billion in liability claims related to dog bites and other dog-related injuries. 



Why Do Dogs Bite? 
Why does “man’s best friend” sometimes treat us like the enemy? Dogs bite for a variety of reasons, usually as a reaction to a specific situation: 
  • Defending themselves or their territory 
  • Feeling scared or startled 
  • Sensing a threat 
  • Guarding something valuable (e.g. their puppies, their food, their toy) 
  • When feeling sick or in pain due to injury 
Dogs can also nip and bite when they are playing, which can become dangerous if not properly managed. 
There are some telltale signs with a dog’s body language that may indicate they are feeling tense, angry, or aggressive: 
  • Growling or showing teeth to indicate discomfort or aggression. 
  • Stiff posture that signals tension or a readiness to defend. 
  • A low tail position can show fear or aggression. 
Preventing Dog Bites as an Owner 
There is a common and frequently spread misconception that certain breeds or dog are more likely to bite, but there is little evidence to support those claims. As a dog owner, the following steps are proven ways to keep dog bite incidence low: 
  1. Choose Pets Wisely: Research breeds and individual temperaments before adopting a dog to ensure the animals will be compatible with the dynamics of your household. 
  2. Training and Socialization: Proper training helps dogs feel secure and reduces the likelihood of aggressive behaviors. Exposing young dogs to a variety of situations under controlled circumstances can help them feel at ease when encountering new animals and people. 
  3. Veterinary Care: Ensure your dog is healthy and up to date on vaccinations, including rabies protection. 
  4. Neuter Your Dog: Male dogs that are not neutered are more likely to bite. Sterilization often reduces aggression.  

Protecting You and Your Family 
Be wary around strange dogs and teach your children that even cute little “puppies” have the capability of causing harm. 
  1. Always Ask Before Approaching: Teach children to ask permission before petting a dog. Never approach unfamiliar dogs without the owner's consent. 
  2. Respect Boundaries: Avoid pulling tails or ears, taking toys or food, or disturbing dogs while they are eating or sleeping. 
  3. Stay Calm Around Loose Dogs: If confronted by a loose dog, stand still with hands at your sides and avoid direct eye contact. 

What To Do When a Bite Happens 
Brown County Public Health urges taking immediate steps if you are bitten by a dog (or another animal), mainly for rabies mitigation. Rabies is a dangerous virus caused by getting a bite or scratch from an infected animal. Rabies is deadly if not treated right away. 
  • Wash the wound with soap and water as soon as possible. 
  • Seek medical treatment immediately. Your health care provider will assess your risk of rabies and provide care. 
  • Law enforcement must be contacted if the animal is a pet, a wild animal, or a stray animal so that the animal can be quarantined and assessed for rabies. 
If your dog ends up biting someone, remember you are responsible to help the victim and remove your dog from the situation. The American Veterinary Medical Assocation offers these steps: 
  • Separate your dog from the scene of the bite. 
  • Check on the bite victim’s condition and make sure the wounds are washed with soap and water. 
  • Encourage the bite victim to seek professional medical advice to check on the seriousness of the wound and the risk of rabies or other infections. 
  • Call 911 if a response by paramedics is needed. 
  • Give the bite victim – or others who are with the person at the time of the incident – your name, address and phone number, as well as information about your dog’s most recent rabies vaccination. 
Wisconsin Statute 95.21, "Rabies Control Program" states that rabies vaccination is required for dogs. Vaccination is not required for indoor cats, but it is strongly recommended if a dog also lives in the home. 

That same state statute requires the animal owner to bring the dog or cat that has bitten a human to a veterinarian clinic to determine risk for rabies. The process is explained below: 
  • Day 0: Day of the bite. 
  • Day 1: First vet check. 
  • Day 2-9: Second vet check. 
  • Day 10: Third vet check. 
If the pet is up to date on the rabies vaccination, the pet must complete a 10-day quarantine at home. If the pet is not up to date on the rabies vaccination, the pet must complete a 10-day quarantine at an isolation facility such as the Wisconsin Humane Society Green Bay Campus. The dog should then be vaccinated at the end of the quarantine period (unless a specified exemption exists).     

Conclusion 
Dog Bite Prevention Week reminds us that most bites are preventable through education and responsible pet ownership. By better understanding our dogs’ behavior, teaching children how to safely interact with our four-legged friends, and ensuring our pets get their proper veterinary care, we can reduce bite incidents in Brown County and beyond, creating a safer environment when we all seem to be taking a walk with our pooch at the exact same time! Oh, and please ley your dog know that I think they are a very good boy/girl! 

Stay Healthy, Brown County! 

Resources 
https://www.iii.org/article/spotlight-on-dog-bite-liability 
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/dog-bite-prevention 
https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2025-04/mcm-dog-bite-prevention-infographic-cmyk-2025.pdf 
https://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/28/3/288 
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/95/21
https://www.stayhealthybc.com/residents/environmental-health/rabies-control/