Dog bite prevention is a welfare issue that affects both the humans bitten and the dogs involved, who are often euthanized following serious incidents.
Dog aggression prevention is both a public safety and animal welfare concern. Dogs that bite are frequently euthanized as a consequence, making prevention directly relevant to dog welfare outcomes. Most serious bites are preceded by warning signals that go unrecognized by adults and children who have not been taught canine body language. Educational programs that teach children and adults to recognize stress signals and behave appropriately around dogs, combined with responsible management of dogs with known reactivity, prevent the majority of serious bite incidents. Reducing bite incidence saves both human injury and dog lives.