Dog Bite Law

Common factors in dog attacks upon children

The most serious attacks on children often have common factors -- fact patterns that repeat themselves. Violating any of the rules given in the section called For Older Kids: Rules to Learn and Follow (below) may cause accidents. Additionally, there are common fact patterns that have been associated with serious attacks. Learn them and teach your children to beware of them. Here they are:

• There is more than one dog.
• The dog is in the backyard of a neighbor.
• No adult is supervising the dog.
• The dog is mid-sized or larger.
• The dog is normally kept on a chain or rope.

For little kids: Diggidy the Dog - puppet show book that teaches dog safety

Here's how to make dog safety lessons fun! Diggidy the Dog is one of Lisa Leleu's "puppet show books" -- a book that you read from while using the attached puppet to make the story come alive. The puppet is actually part of the story, and part of every drawing in the book.

Diggidy takes your children on a fun walk through the neighborhood. Along the way, they encounter a whole lot of dogs in different situations. Diggidy tells them the "do's" and "don'ts" -- right from the doggie's mouth.

After you create this live show for your children, there is another treat in store for them. The book doubles as a coloring book. They can write their own story and color it too.

Diggidy the Dog makes a great gift for young parents and young children. To buy it or find out more about it, click on the graphic to the left.

For older kids: Rules to learn and follow

For children who are old enough to learn rules, here is a well-written set that rhymes. You can click here to download it and print it out.

Ask the owner before petting Rover.

Many dogs are very friendly, but some dogs are not. Make sure to ask the owners if their dog is friendly and if it’s okay for you to pet the dog; and make sure to also ask your own parent or guardian before you pet somebody else’s dog. And be sure to follow all of the safety tips!

Puppy or kitten, ask for permission.

It is also important to ask an adult before petting puppies or kittens, especially when the mama dog or cat is present. Mothers of almost any animal are naturally protective of their babies.

Petting the chin is where you begin.

After you have received permission to pet a dog, you should pet the dog under its chin or on its chest. This way the dog can see where your hand is and what you are doing. Many dogs don’t like to be petted on the top of the head. They might think you are trying to hurt or dominate them.

He sniffs your hand to understand.

A dog’s sense of smell is much, much greater than our own. Dogs use this sense of smell when greeting and getting to know newcomers. If a dog smells you to get to know you, let him sniff the back of your hand. This will keep your fingers out of the way as well as not threaten the dog.

If he has a bone, leave him alone. If he has a snack, you must keep back.

If a dog is eating or is chewing on a bone or other item, he/she might think you are going to take it away, which could cause the dog to protect what it has by growling, snapping or biting.

Respecting his space will save your face.

It is common sense to keep a respectable distance between a child's face and the teeth of a dog or a cat, even if it is the family pet.

If you run and shout, he's gonna freak out.

The way you behave can influence the way a dog behaves. If you scream, shout, run or swing your arms or feet around dogs, they are more likely to chase or attack you.

He'll think you’re the bomb if you act very calm.

Your behavior can influence the way any dog behaves, but shy or nervous dogs can be even more affected by rambunctious children. Being calm around a shy dog can make them feel less nervous and more secure.

Whether girl or a boy, never tease or annoy.

If you are teasing or annoying a dog or a cat, they can’t tell you in words that they want you to stop; but they can tell you to stop by growling, biting or scratching.

Quiet and slow is the way to go.

If you are scared of a dog, do not run or scream. It is safer to walk away slowly and quietly. As you calmly walk away, try not to stare into the dog’s eyes; or the dog might think you want to fight.

More for older kids: Websites to visit and learn from

A really great web site -- covering all kinds of educational and safety material about dogs -- is How to Love Your Dog - A Kids' Guide to Dog Care. It is extensive and wonderful. The dog safety section is Keeping Safe, but it is recommended that you look through the entire site.

www.dogbitelaw.com and each of its sections and products, including Dog Bite Law, The Dog Bite Law Adviser, Dog Bite Litigation Forms, What To Do If Your Dog Is Injured Or Killed, Avoiding Liability When You Train, Shelter or Adopt-Out, Anatomy of a Dog Bite Case, and the foregoing text, are (c) 1999-2008 Kenneth M. Phillips. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part prohibited except where advance permission is granted in writing. Please read the disclaimer and our rules for linking and quoting. Reporters seeking interviews are welcome to click here.