MAN'S BEST FRIEND? ATTACKS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM

Timmy should know that Lassie isn't always man's best friend.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Ga., estimates that nearly 2 percent of the U.S. population, or 4.5 million people, are bitten by a dog each year. And 10 to 20 people -- the majority children -- die annually in the United States as a result of dog bites.

The statistics aren't entirely accurate because they include the number of reported attacks, not the actual number of attacks.

"Reports are just the incidents that are severe enough that the victims have to seek medical attention," said Jhan White, shelter administrator of the Humane Society of Southeast. "These figures don't count the hundreds of thousands of attacks that are nips or where there is only a little blood drawn."

Dogs bite out of fear, to protect their territory or to establish dominance over the person being bitten. For these reasons, summer is a prime time for the 52 million dogs living in the United States to attack.

Dogs become more irritable in the heat, explained Charles E. Stucker, the city's chief animal-control officer. This, coupled with dogs being territorial animals and an increase in the number of people outdoors, increases the chances someone will be bitten from purposefully or accidentally trespassing on a dog's territory.

The list of top breeds involved in dog attacks changes annually and varies from area to area depending on the breed's popularity.

White doesn't believe dogs such as pit bulls and Rottweilers are any more prone to bite than other canines. She is a firm believer that dog attacks depend on how the animal was raised, not the animal's breed.

How a dog is raised is the responsibility of the owner. And according to the Humane Society of the United States, the key to dog-bite prevention is responsible dog ownership. This includes proper socialization, supervision, humane training, sterilization and safe confinement.

One statistic it reports in support of this is that 80 percent of all reported dog bites are male dogs that have not been neutered.

Like sterilization, a dog's genetics, not necessarily its breed, plays a part in how likely a dog is to attack. And again, White believes people are responsible for creating attack-prone dogs from inbreeding.

"There are people out there who are just creating monster dogs," she said.

"The dalmation has become high on the list of breeds likely to bite because they have become popular and everyone wants one," she explained. "Now people are out there who want to make the supply for the demand, and they are making poor-quality animals from inbreeding."

Inbreeding leaves dogs with quirky temperaments that are predisposed to bite, she said.

To avoid being bitten, White recommends:

-- Don't mess with unfamiliar dogs.

-- Don't make eye contact with dogs because they perceive this as a challenge.

-- Don't approach a dog, even a familiar one, quickly and stick out your hand. Always talk gently to the dog first and let it see and sniff you.

-- Don't let arms swing at your side. Pull them up close to the body.

-- Don't run away from a dog. They will pursue.

In the event of a dog bite, the Humane Society of the United States suggests to wash the wound with soap and warm water, contact a physician and report the bite to the local animal-care and control agency.

IF YOU ARE APPROACHED BY A DOG WHO MAY ATTACK:

*Never scream or run. Remain motionless, hands at your sides and avoid eye contact.

*After the dog loses interest in you, back away slowly until he is out of sight.

IF THE DOG DOES ATTACK:

*"Feed" the dog your jacket, purse or anything you can put between yourself and the dog.

*If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears and remain motionless.

*Try not to scream or roll around.