Almost five million Americans are bitten by dogs every year and children make up sixty percent of the victims.

Children seem to love dogs with a passion but it's important that they learn to love dogs with some caution. Ten-year-old Brittani Wallace "My dog's friendly and not vicious. My mom's always taught me not to go near strange dogs, dogs that I don't know."

Public Information Specialist for Lee County Animal Services Ria Brown says, "The first thing that we always tell children is to never approach a strange dog and always ask permission before they pet them."

There are a range of situations and behaviors that can cause aggressive responses from dogs. Parents must teach their children to treat all animals with respect, which includes never hurting, teasing or taking things from them. Brittani says, "Sometimes they get territorial whenever if you pet them or anything while their eating."

If you come into contact with a dog that is trying to attack you, Ria shows us how to protect ourselves until help can arrive. "We tell children if they think the dog is going to bite them we demonstrate a position for them to get into to protect the most vulnerable parts of their body."

Ria also says that in the worst case, dog bites can end up right here in the emergency room, but there are certain precautions you can take to be sure that doesn't happen. "People can help prevent dog bites by socializing their pets too."

Approximately 20 people die every year as a result of a dog attack in the United States. The majority of the victims are children.

Spaying & neutering your dog definitely helps curb those tendencies for aggression and the dogs tend not to roam as much looking for a mate.