During the past decade, the proportion of deaths from pit bull-related injuries rose threefold. Although children of any age may be the victims of attacks by dogs, the majority of dog-related attacks occur in children that are six to ten years old. Boys are attacked by dogs almost twice as often as girls. By contrast, girls are the primary victims of the more than four hundred thousand cat bites reported each year. The most common type of injury from a cat bite is a puncture wound.
Parents can take steps to prevent animal bites from occurring.
Young children should understand that teasing a pet could provoke an aggressive response. They should be taught to not hit a dog or cat, to not pull an animal's tail, and to avoid petting an animal that is eating or sleeping. Children also should never pet a stray or free-roaming dog or cat. They should be taught that even usually friendly dogs could become fierce when guarding their territory and that animals also may become hostile when protecting their young. If your child is bitten, you should immediately wash the wound with soap and warm water to reduce the risk of infection.