Every year more than 1 million people, mostly children under 12 years of age, need medical attention because of a dog bite. Most bites to children occur to the head or neck.
Bites are often from dogs owned by the child's family or friends.
They occur in the house, yard, or neighborhood. Large dogs such as German shepherds cause most of the bites. Other dogs that have a tendency to bite are chow chows, rottweilers, cocker spaniels, and pit bull terriers. Dogs bite when afraid or threatened, to protect their food, toys or territory, when excited, when in pain or irritated, or when trained to be aggressive. Never leave infants or toddlers alone with a dog.