CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- CMPD Animal Care and Control is asking dog owners to watch their pets.
With school starting, many students walking or biking to school could end up being bit by a dog.
Animal Control said most bites are because the dog got loose.
One plastic surgeon who’s done several facial reconstruction surgeries following dog attacks says even small bites need to be checked out.
“Somebody might look at a small little tear in the skin and say that will heal. What’s not obvious is how bacteria may have got in the tissue,” Dr. Theodore Nyame of Charlotte Plastic Surgery said. “If that is ignored, and that tissue goes on to heal, you may end up with an infection that would require significant reconstructive surgery.”
How to Prevent Dog Bites (via CDC)
Do:
- Always ask if it is okay to pet someone else’s dog before reaching out to pet the dog.
- When approached by an unfamiliar dog, remain motionless (“be still like a tree”).
- If a dog knocks you over, curl into a ball with your head tucked and your hands over your ears and neck.
- Immediately let an adult know about any stray dogs or dogs that are behaving strangely.
Don’t:
- Don’t approach an unfamiliar dog.
- Don’t run from a dog.
- Don’t panic or make loud noises.
- Don’t disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
- Don’t pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
- Don’t encourage your dog to play aggressively.
- Don’t let small children play with a dog unsupervised.
According to the CDC, nearly one in five people bitten by dogs need medical attention.
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