Make sure your dog is baby-friendly.

Young children are especially vulnerable to dog attacks. We love dogs, but some of them can pose serious danger to a baby — even dogs that you’re familiar with. A pediatric surgeon who has had to treat children from dog attack injuries says take extra care with Pit bulls and Rottweilers.

Dr. Mark Wulkan of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta explains that in his experience, dogs that attacked children often belonged to the family or the neighbors. Dr. Wulkan says, “people get this false sense of security” because they know the dog and think it won’t hurt anyone.”

Last year, 29 seriously injured children were admitted to Wulkan’s hospital for injuries caused by dogs. Dozens of other children were treated in his emergency room for bites. 
One child’s scalp and ears had been torn off and other children suffered skull injuries, damaged tracheas and face wounds.

Several children died, including a 5-day-old baby mauled by the family’s pit bull, The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported. 

Pit bulls and Rottweilers caused the most serious injuries among the children treated at Children’s Healthcare, Wulkan notes. 

”With German shepherds, they bite you and then that’s it,” Wulkan said. “Pit bulls and Rottweilers, once they go, they’re going for the kill.”

We may know our canine friend really well, but we should understand that animals can be unpredictable at times. The nicest dogs can be riled by a overly playful toddler or bothered by an unfamiliar baby and we can only guess how they’ll react. Realize that certain breeds of dogs are better around children.

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