You never expect to get bitten by a dog. You might have been out for your usual evening walk in your West Virginia neighborhood, passing a yard you’ve walked by a hundred times. In many cases, the dog did not look dangerous; it was just curious and even friendly. But in a flash, it lunged.

And now you’re left with a dog bite, maybe stitches, and a story you never wanted to tell. It’s the kind of experience that sticks with you. The physical pain might fade, but the questions don’t.

West Virginia law says dog owners are responsible when their animals bite someone who did nothing wrong.

But many people do not realize how often severe bites come from breeds we see daily: in parks, on sidewalks, and behind chain-link fences. Some breeds are more dangerous than others.

Here are some of the world’s most dangerous dog breeds, what makes them risky, and why breed alone does not tell the whole story about a serious dog bite.

Getting bitten by a dog can be traumatic. Alongside the emotional damage, you need to take care of your physical injuries. Since dogs have bacteria in their mouths, you might need to take steps to attend to the wound.

There is always the worry about infections, especially tetanus. So, how do you know if you need a tetanus shot after a dog bite? Here is what you need to do to protect your health.