The Emergency Departments at NorthBay VacaValley Hospital and NorthBay Medical Center are treating an average of two to three dog bites per day. A few of these patients were in need of specialty care and had to be transferred to other medical centers.

So let me address injury prevention as it relates to dog bites. Across the nation, emergency departments see and treat approximately 1,000 dog bites a day.

Here's some advice on how to avoid dog bites:

1. Don't run away from the police, they have dogs. They will bite. It's what they do.

2. Don't run from strange dogs. Stand still and remain quiet like a tree.

3. Don't pat dogs on the head. You can safely scratch the side of their necks.

4. Don't play with strange dogs.

5. Don't go near a dog eating or chewing a bone or chained in their yard.

The majority of bites are by Labrador retrievers, as this is the most common breed owned in the United States. Labs are followed by German shepherds and Chihuahuas, respectively. Pit bulls, however, are the most deadly. They account for the majority of dog-bite fatalities.

The most common bite areas are the face, head and neck. Therefore, many of these bites can be life-threatening or disfiguring. Although a dog may be trying to play, dog play involves biting at the face and neck. (They don't have hands.)

Children are the most at risk. Youngsters do not understand the subtle cues that dogs provide to let them know it is NOT OK to interact with them. The younger the child, the closer the supervision should be.

Ensure there is adequate supervision when your child goes to visit a friend who has a dog. Although many dog bites originate from dogs unknown to the victim, the majority of these bites come from family pets, many that previously have shown no tendency to bite. These animals surprise even their owners.

It is not the dog, but the lack of attention by humans to the cues of avoidance being given by the dog.

Signs of avoidance:

1. Tail high, body stiff, mouth closed = "I'm warning you. Back off!"

2. Tongue flick and slow, stiff tail wag = "Go away."

3. Half-moon eye and closed mouth = "Leave me alone!"

4. Yawning = "I'm anxious. Please leave me alone!"

5. Tail tucked in, even if wagging a bit = "Please stay away from me."

6. Head turned away = "Don't bother me"

7. Freeze and stare, ears pinned back = "I will bite you if you persist."

That said, love your animals, but keep everyone safe. Use a leash. It's the only reliable way to control your dog in public, so it doesn't surprise you and injure someone.