Be BiteSmart is an education initiative, creating age-appropriate multimedia teaching materials to help prevent dog bites to the most at-risk ages. Family dogs are our best friends, but they can bite when provoked, feeling threatened or afraid. By learning how a dog communicates and interprets our behavior, we can detect early warning signs, alter our actions, and prevent bites before they happen. Led by world-renowned veterinarian Professor Emeritus Nicholas Dodman, and in collaboration with a team of professionals and creative specialists, Be BiteSmart aims to support families in recognizing key dog behaviors and maintaining a safe and loving environment.
The Team
Meet the experts behind the Be BiteSmart initiative
The Statistics
Be BiteSmart uses data and expert knowledge to prevent childhood dog bites.
The Bite Epidemic
An estimated 4.5 - 4.7
million people suffer from dog bites annually.
Babies in Danger
0–2-year-olds account
for the majority of dog
attack fatalities
1 in 5
Nearly 1 in 5 people who
are bitten by a dog require medical attention.
5-9 Year Old Children
Annually, over 31,000 children aged 5 -9 years visit the ER as a result of dog bites.
Hospital Treatment
On average, there are more than 1,000 ER visits daily due to bite related injuries.
Insurance Liability
In 2021, dog bite injuries
accounted for more than
66% of homeowner
insurance liability claims.
(Costing more than $900 million in paid claims).