It's shocking and disturbing every time we read about a child mauled by a dog.

It sells papers. It creates a lot a debate about breed bans. And some individuals even question why we own dogs. So just how do we interpret these reports? What are the facts behind dog bites? Let's look at some of the statistics.

How many people get bitten? In the United States 1.5 per cent of people have been bitten by a dog. It is estimated that 50 per cent of dog bites are not reported. That means three per cent of people have been bitten by a dog. But then again, 50 per cent of dog bites result in absolutely no injury at all. So that puts us back down to 1.5 per cent.

Where are you most likely to get bitten? The family dog is responsible for 25-33 per cent of dog bites. About 20 per cent of bites occur outside of the home (therefore 80 per cent occur within the home). You are most likely to be bitten by your own pet in your own home.

Who is most likely to be the victim? This is where it gets tricky. Reports from hospitals suggest children are twice as likely to be bitten than an adult. However, when vets are asked to report on bite issues, adults are twice as likely to be bitten.

Those bites are probably the ones that occur when owners are trying to discipline a pet.

Who gets hurt the most? Children. They are small and close to the ground.

Which dogs are most likely to bite? This has changed over time. It is always the most popular breeds of the time. In other words, all breeds bite. The more popular the breed, the more frequently that one comes up in the list of dogs that bite.

Not surprisingly, herding dogs are often responsible for bites. They may be trying to herd a crowd of children, but that nip at the heel is viewed as a bite. There is one breed that is consistently the least likely to bite: the Labrador Retriever.

Which dogs do the most damage? Large breeds with powerful jaws. They aren't necessary the most frequent to bite, but they are the most likely to do damage.

If bites are so frequent, should we not be worried? Yes and no. Since the 1970s the frequency of dog bites has decreased by up to 90 per cent in some cities.

What is the value in having a dog in your family when you consider the risk of dog bites?

For seniors and the elderly, the dog is often the one true reliable consistent companion.

For children, studies have shown that if they grow up with dogs they are more empathic, have higher self esteem, consider life more fun and have a more positive outlook on life in general. Dogs work better than anti-depressants.

If dogs are so beneficial, and we have reduced bites by 90 per cent in the last 40 years, what have we done and what can we continue to do to improve this trend?

Ensure your dog goes through the appropriate puppy socialization stages. Have the whole family participate in training classes not only as puppies but beyond into the adult years. Continue dog socialization throughout their lives. Teach your children how to (and how not to) approach unknown dogs. And never, ever, leave a child unsupervised with any pet.

More on preventing dog bites next time.

n Dr. Borgmann is a pet columnist and veterinarian with the Whatcom Road Veterinary Hospital in Abbotsford.