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The connection between community safety and animal welfare is an important conversation. When conflicts between animals and people arise, local government agencies are called upon to respond through intervention and the development of prevention programs and policies that promote community safety. The Office of Animal Welfare urges responsible policies that prevent dog bites using two cornerstones to dog bite prevention:
Did you know that more than 80 percent of dogs involved in fatal attacks on humans are not spayed or neutered? Or that almost half of these attacks involve children younger than age of five? By understanding the factors that are common among dog attacks, we can create programs that eliminate the very situations that are dangerous.
Here is what you can do to prevent dog bites:
More information on preventing dog bites
When dog attacks do occur, it is important for these cases to be properly investigated. If a dog is deemed potentially dangerous, based on the investigation, owners have a right to request a county Dog Control Panel. The Panel consists of experts in dog behavior, veterinary medicine, and law enforcement and hears cases of potentially dangerous dogs to make final determinations as to whether the dog poses a future public safety risk.
To Report a Dog Bite:
Delaware Animal Services will visit the home of any person that has been bitten or experienced exposure to blood or body fluids. This service is provided throughout the state of Delaware. DAS can be contacted 302-255-4646.