The Portage County Humane Society says the number of children suffering from dog bites is on the rise, and it may surprise you which breeds are doing the most damage.

And because of the recent spike in dog bite cases, the county’s humane society’s officers are teaching children that any dog can attack.

We all know the saying “dogs are man’s best friend.”

They’re lovable, playful and even comforting at times, but that doesn’t mean they’re not capable of the unthinkable.

“You never know,” said Portage County Humane Officer Scott Wiza. “A dog is technically a wild animal so you can never predict.”

That’s why the Portage County Humane Society is educating children that they can lessen their chances of being attacked.

Officers say sometimes there are things children do to provoke a dog bite without realizing it.

“A lot of our bite cases are kids teasing the dog or playing with the dog too rough and just not knowing the tools to prevent the dog bites,” Officer Wiza said.

Like you shouldn’t run away screaming if a dog runs after you.

“When a dog is coming after you just stand still,” said six-year-old Erik Hanneman, who attended the county’s “Bite Prevention” program Saturday.

Chances are the dog will sniff you and walk away.

In the event that a dog jumps on you, drop to the ground, curl into a ball and put your hands on top of your head.

There are also a number of simple things children can do to prevent a dog from wanting to attack them in the first place, including not pulling on dogs’ tails and ears, and leaving alone dogs who are eating or sleeping.

Officer Wiza says it’s not the stereotypical pit bulls or rottweilers that are to blame for most dog bit cases, but rather labs and little toy dogs that bit people the most.