Dear Editor:
As a member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, I am writing this letter to reach out to our community during National Dog Bite Prevention (May 18-24). The goal of our campaign, currently in its 5th year, is to help educate parents, dog owners and especially children who are the Number One victims of dog bites, in avoiding this dangerous situation.
As a board-certified plastic surgeon in the Monmouth County area, I have often been called to repair the devastating injuries of a dog attack. The statistics on dog bites are shocking: every 40 seconds, someone in America seeks medical care because of a dog bite. Children make up 60 percent of the 4.7 million Americans bitten by dogs each year. Tragically, some 20 people will die from dog attack injuries this year. Most disconcerting is that the problem is largely preventable through public education.
Dog bites are not caused by “bad dogs” but by unaware dog owners. The Humane Society of the United States reports that dogs who have not been properly socialized to other people, who are not supervised or safely confined, who are not sterilized, or who get little attention and handling are those who often attack. Dogs who have not been spayed or neutered are three times more likely to bite.
As a plastic surgeon who has seen the damage caused by dog bites, I urge dog owners and parents to follow basic steps to avoid dog bites. Dog owners: obedience train your dog and keep it healthy. Parents: advise your child to never approach an unfamiliar dog and never run from or scream at a dog. In the event that you or someone you know is attacked by a dog, seek emergency medical attention immediately and ask the emergency room physician to call a plastic surgeon certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Plastic surgeons certified by the ABPS have extensive surgical training in preserving and rearranging skin and tissue on the face and all areas of the body. They offer the victim added assurance that the wound will heal properly, and the resulting scar will be as inconspicuous as possible.
Together, through education and awareness, we can prevent future tragedies. For more information call me at 732-683-1033, or visit the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ Website, at www.plasticsurgery.org or visit my website at www.professionalplasticsurgery.com.
Sincerely,
A.K. Bhattacharya, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons