A new approach, beyond the “point-in-time” method, may provide veterinary professionals, behaviorists and caregivers with objective tools they can use to understand, assess and potentially manage a dog’s bite risk. Colette Kase shares these key factors:
- The importance of improving bite assessments
- The potential of a structured professional judgment approach used in forensic mental health in humans
- Unmanaged pain is one of the most pervasive and most underrecognized contributors to human-directed aggression
- Pet owner lifestyles, behavior of pet owners, management practices, household composition, and the presence of children or vulnerable adults
Source: AAHA Trends, June 26, 2026. Link. According to the AVMA, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States each year, with approximately 800,000 requiring medical attention. Children account for more than half of all injuries.
So many dog bites are preventable with better information, earlier identification, and more accurate assessment. The exam room is where a vital part of that can begin.” – Colette Kase
Image: Link.
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