Warnings on dog attacks

Los Angeles Public Health reports that the national medical cost for dog bites was estimated, in 1999, to be around $250 million annually. It's estimated that up to 50 percent of all Americans will be bitten by a dog or cat in their lifetime.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States seeks medical attention for a dog biterelated injury.

The lower legs are most frequently injured in dog attacksbut face, neck and scalp wounds are common sites for dog bites in young children. Children are at greater risk of injury, since many don't know how to behave around a dog. Children's small size and inability to fend off an attack put them at additional risk.

Here are some things you can do to prevent bites:

+Never leave a young child alone with a pet.

+Do not try to separate fighting animals.

+Avoid sick animals and animals that you don't know.

+Leave animals alone while they're eating.

+Keep dogs on a leash when in public.

- - Nancy Needham