When Interactions Between Young Children and Dogs Become Dangerous

Abstract

Dog bites are an important public health problem and often require significant medical and surgical care, especially among younger children. Although decades of research and clinical experience have revealed specific risk factors and potential avenues for the prevention of dog bite injuries to children, the problem remains widespread and serious. Prevention efforts underway largely target older children with limited focus on how to protect the infants and toddlers who experience the most serious morbidity and mortality from dog bite injuries. Recent research on the relationship between parent supervision and dog bites highlights an opportunity to educate parents on the risk of dog bites and appropriate dog–child interaction. The overall goal of such efforts is to reduce the frequency of dog bites, thus protecting children and avoiding hospital and surgical treatment.