Each year, more than 800,000 Americans receive medical attention for dog bites and at least half of those are children. From the smallest to the largest furry friends, even the cuddliest, easy-going dog might bite if provoked. You can help protect your child by discussing with them appropriate ways to behave around dogs.
Here are a few dog bite prevention tips:
Never leave a small child and a dog alone together ever, even if it’s the family dog or a dog you know well. Remember, any dog can bite.
Do not allow your child to play aggressive games (like tug of war) with a dog.
Never bother a dog when it’s sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
Children should not pet an unfamiliar dog especially one behind a fence or in a car.
If your child is knocked down by a dog, have them remain calm, curl up into a ball, and protect their face and eyes with their hands.
If a dog bites your child, follow these steps:
Immediately wash out the wound with soap and water.
Call your pediatrician – your child might need a rabies shot or antibiotics.
If the bite was more serious, call 911 or go directly to the ER for treatment.
Mesa Pediatric Urgent Care and Gilbert Pediatric Urgent Care
AllKids Urgent Care is a Pediatric Urgent Care with offices in Mesa and Gilbert Both our Gilbert Pediatric Urgent Care and our Mesa Pediatric Urgent Care are open from 12 pm to 10 pm every day so we are available when kids, and parents, need us most. Both offices are located conveniently off the US60, making them easily accessible from anywhere in the East Valley.