Next week is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, and Barbara Sherman, a specialist in animal behavior at N.C. State University, offers some suggestions to prevent dog bite injuries.

Some dogs don't like strangers and may react defensively.

Always ask for permission before you pet a strange dog and don't pet a dog that seems frightened, Sherman said.

Don't reach through a fence or into a car to pet a dog.

Some dogs are frightened by rapid movements and loud voices. Move slowly and speak in a calm tone of voice when you approach a dog.

Stay away from a dog when it is eating, chewing on a special treat and when it is sleeping.

Finally, Sherman suggests, don't stare at a dog's face. Pet a dog on its back and not on its head.

Nearly 5 million people in the United States suffer from dog bites annually, and about 800,000 bites are serious enough to require medical attention. Bite-related injuries are highest among children ages 5 to 9.