The majority of dog bite incidents are not from unknown dogs; 77% of people bitten are bitten by a friend’s dog and half of all dog bites occur at the dog’s home. Since most of us do not keep mean pets, it is important to remember that certain precautions should be taken even around our sweet, loving four-legged family members.

In 33 states, the owner of a dog is completely responsible if his dogs hurts, or worse, kills a person. Many other states are in the process of passing similar bills. The very significant incident that propelled many of these legislations that hold dog owners accountable was a San Francisco, CA case in which a lawyer’s dogs attacked and killed Diane Whipple. Majorie Knoller and her husband were both sentenced to time in prison and hefty fines, and were held liable to Whipple’s death as well. This case of family pets attacking a neighbor reminds us to take special care when dealing with any animal, whether we know him or not.

Many studies have attempted to quantify the relationship between dog breed and chance of attack, although the reliability of these studies has been questioned. It is imperative that those without prior experience with dogs seek professional help in training their first furry friend. Some dogs may be predisposed to having aggressive personalities but good training can greatly reduce the risk of such aggressive traits becoming a reality. As well, a dog that is not prone to be violent may be if not handled and treated correctly. In general, we need to bear in mind that like us, dogs are not always predictable and we should always be mindful of their aggressive tendencies.