How to Avoid Your Child Getting Bit by a Dog on Halloween

With Halloween approaching you and your children are probably starting to find the finishing touches for their Halloween costumes so that they look scary or funny but the main point of the costume usually is to be disguised so that they do not look like themselves but instead the character they are trying to look like.  Parents of young and older children alike may spend hours this Halloween before they take or send their kids off trick-or-treating such as dying their children's hair with temporary dye, putting wigs on their children, painting their faces or putting masks on their children's face.  While this is not scary to most of the other trick-or-treaters or to people handing out candy it can be very frightening to most dogs.  

All dogs react differently when faced with situations where they are scared and afraid.  Some frightened dogs may bark, some may look at you awkwardly and run away, while others may bite out of fear.  A dog that bites out of fear is sometimes the worst type of bite because it is unexpected and is also the most common reason for biting.  As a matter of a fact it is more common for a child to get bit by a dog because the dog is afraid than because the dog is aggressive.  While aggressive dog bites do happen to children it is more common for children to get bit by a dog that is normally friendly but is scared. 

When dogs are faced with situations that frighten them the frightened dog acts out of fear.  While as a dog owner it is ultimately your responsibility to watch after your dog and to make sure they do not bite children or anyone for that matter but there are also things you can do as a parent this Halloween when your children are trick-or-treating in their ghost, Batman or Hannah Montana costume to help them stay safe.  Here are some ways to help your child stay safe from dog bites this Halloween:

• Avoid houses that have a dog barking at the door or barking in the yard, especially if the fence does not look secure or high enough.   If you do go to a house that has a dog inside wait for the owner to put the dog away or have the owner come outside to give you your candy.  Don't forget it is ok to let the dog owner know that you are not comfortable with the dog.  Also, make sure when you turn around to leave the door is completely shut so that the dog can not get out and come after you from behind.
• Do not approach any dog, even if you know the dog and they are on a leash, with your Halloween costume on because they may not recognize you. 
•  In the event you encounter a stray dog or if someones dog gets out it is important that you stand completely still like a tree, let the dog sniff you and once they walk away from you completely move.  Never run from a dog it will only encourage them to chase you and possibly attack you.
• If you get knocked over by the dog do not try to get up with them standing there instead roll up into a ball and tuck your head in.  This will help prevent the dog from attacking your face or neck.
• Do not make eye contact with a stray dog or a dog that gets out of the house while you are trick-or-treating.
• If you do get bit make sure you or a friend get an adult immediately if one is not already around.

Remember dog bites happen far too often and are often the most dangerous to children.  In fact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs a year and for every 5 that are bitten 1 requires medical attention.  Also, in 2006 alone there were over 31,000 people that needed reconstructive surgury due to a dog attack.

If you or your child was attacked by a dog you will want to first get immediate medical attention but afterwards you may want to consider hiring a child injury attorney to handle your child's dog attack case. 

For additional information on the body language you should give off if you encounter a stray dog view the video below: