Such reconstruction may need multiple operations over several years. Scars are inevitable. Scars may be improved but never completely removed. None of this is very much fun for the patient or the family. Patients frequently become nervous of dogs.
Parents often suffer from shame and guilt and suffer more than the child.
The increase in population of large dogs has resulted in an increased severity of bites. The pit bull terrier is a common cause of urban dog bite injuries in children. The tendency for dogs to bite is the product of many factors. Some breeds have a genetic predisposition towards aggressiveness. There is less tendency to bite with early socialization to people, training, quality of care and supervision.