"BEWARE OF THE BITE" DOG BITES HAVE HIGH COSTS

More than 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year-most of them children.

"Dog bites and dog bite-related deaths are a very real threat with very real costs, both medically and from an insurance standpoint," said Scott Spear, M.D., chief of plastic surgery at Georgetown Hospital in Washington, D.C.

The Independent Insurance Agents of America (IIAA) and the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons have joined forces to launch "Beware of the Bite," a national dog bite prevention campaign.

Dog bites result in an average of 18 deaths a year. Annually, almost $165 million is spent treating an estimated 800,000 dog bite-related injuries requiring medical treatment.

Dog bites cost society more than $1 billion a year, with insurance companies paying out about $250 million of that in liability claims nationwide. As many as one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claims may be related to dog attacks, according to insurance industry estimates.

Sadly, children are the most frequent victims of dog attacks and compromise 60 percent of all dog bite victims. Of children seen in emergency rooms for dog bites, 73 percent were bitten on the face, neck and head, compared to just 30 percent for adults.

"Plastic and reconstructive surgeons all to often see the tragic consequences of dog bites to children as they treat young patients with severe lacerations to the face and head that carry the potential of lifetime scarring," said Dr. Spear.

Dog owners can be at financial risk if their dog bites someone. Some insurance companies are limiting or denying liability coverage to owners of certain breeds of dog considered more likely to bite.

"Homeowners and renters who own dogs should never go without liability insurance, or they may be in for a rude awakening if sued," said Madelyn Flannagan, IIAA's director of research and information. "Dog owners must be aware of the financial as well as physical implications of letting dogs roam and not taking precautions to prevent injuries. This holds true even at home, because an estimated 70 percent of dog attacks occur on the owner's property.

"Unfortunately more dogs are attacking," Flannigan said. "Partially due to a lack of proper training and to the fact that more crime-cautious customers are training dogs to be more aggressive." She also said more unwitting victims are suing. "it's imperative that dog owners take precautions to protect themselves and others."