Every year, thousands of children are bitten — most injuries are preventable.
Our educational videos teach children essential safety skills when interacting with dogs. With your support, we can reach more families and prevent injuries.
Be BiteSmart is a pediatric injury-prevention initiative designed to reduce preventable dog bite injuries in children through early, age-appropriate learning. Developed by the Center for Canine Behavior Studies (CCBS), Be BiteSmart provides free, evidence-based educational resources in both English and Spanish to help children—and the adults who care for them—learn safer, more respectful interactions with dogs before an injury occurs.
Dog bite injuries are among the most common and most preventable causes of serious injury in children—particularly those under 5 years old—who are at greatest risk for injuries to the face, head, neck, and airway. This is due to their height, which brings them closer to a dog’s face, their natural curiosity, and limited ability to interpret canine behavioral cues and body language that often precede a bite.
These injuries can be life-changing physically severe events and lead to long-term psychological effects. The fact that so many are preventable underscores the need for education for families with young children and dogs.
As a corporate or supporting sponsor, you have the opportunity to support and help lead a nationally visible child injury prevention initiative and demonstrate proactive corporate responsibility by helping to protect children at their most vulnerable age. Your sponsorship will help prevent a child from facing reconstructive surgery, permanent scarring, and trauma that lasts a lifetime.
The Real-World Consequences of Pediatric Dog Bite Injuries
“ I’m a craniofacial plastic surgeon at a children’s hospital and so the majority of kids I see in the context of dog bites have pretty serious injuries “ — Carolyn R. Rogers-Vizena, MD
Despite the decades long call for age-appropriate education, structured prevention education designed specifically for children remains inadequate and relatively ineffective. Much is static Do and Don’t advice. Be BiteSmart addresses this gap through proactive education grounded in canine behavioral science, early child development, and pediatric injury-prevention research.
Be BiteSmart educational materials are provided free of charge and are publicly accessible worldwide. All videos and learning resources may be shared and used for non-commercial educational purposes by families, schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations.
The Dog Bite Epidemic by the Numbers
4.5 M
The Bite Epidemic
An estimated 4.5 – 4.7 million people suffer from dog bites annually.
1 in 5
Require Medical Attention
Nearly 1 in 5 people who are bitten by a dog require medical attention.
1,000 +
Daily ER Visits
On average, there are more than 1,000 ER visits daily due to bite related injuries.
0-2 y.o.
Babies in Danger
0-2 year olds account for the majority of dog attack fatalities.
60–80%
Injuries to head, face or neck
Children under age 5 sustain a disproportionate number of severe injuries, with 60–80% involving the head, face, or neck
66%
Liability Claims
In 2021, dog bites injuries accounted for more than 66% of homeowner liability claims (costing more than $900 million in paid claims).