Did you know:

• Each year, over 500 Floridians are hospitalized due to injuries from dog bites?
• Each year, an average of 2 Floridians die from injuries due to dog bites?
• Children between 1 and 9 years of age are at the highest risk for dog bites, with boys in this age group at a higher risk than girls?
• Children under 10 years of age are more likely to be bitten on the head or neck than other age groups?

This year, National Dog Bite Prevention Week is observed from May 16-22, 2010. This event is coordinated by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the U.S. Postal Service and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Statewide, the Florida Department of Health, the Florida Animal Control Association, and the Florida Veterinary Medical Association have collaborated on a press release (26K PDF)  encouraging all Floridians to learn how to avoid being bitten by a dog. For more information on dog bite avoidance and the national and local Dog Bite Prevention Campaigns see the links below.

Pet Sterilization

Animals that are not neutered, particularly male dogs, may be at increased risk of biting people.  Thousands of healthy and loving dogs and cats are put to death every year in the U.S. because pet owners do not spay or neuter their pets.

For more information, see: http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/pets/2010-01-13-petsurvey13_ST_N.htm

CDC bite prevention: Links to published articles on dog bites. 

AVMA: What you should know about dog bite prevention.

U.S. Postal Service: Tips for protecting your letter carrier from dog bites.

State Farm Insurance: More information on dog bite prevention.

Humane Society of the United States: Stay Dog Bite Free! Questions and answers, resources for children.

For more information on rabies: www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/rabies/rabies-index.html
Rabies prevention brochures are available from the Florida Department of Health distribution center for $15 per pack of 50. The distribution center can be reached at (850) 414-8086, or by fax at (850) 414-7753. Please ask for stock number 5730-845-0150-1 (English); 5730-846-0150-5 (Spanish); or 5730-847-0150-0(Creole).

Additional reading:

Dog Bites in Florida by Age, 1999-2007 (9 KB PDF)

Dog Bites in Florida, (15KB PDF) by Danielle Stanek, DVM, Carina Blackmore, DVM, PhD, et al.
 
A community approach to dog bite prevention (112 KB PDF) by the American Veterinary Medical Association Task Force on Canine Aggression and Human-Canine Interactions.

Nonfatal dog bite-related injuries treated in hospital emergency departments, U.S., 2001 from the CDC.