Dog bites are not trifling injuries. The wounds a dog leaves are deep and the potential for both serious injury (artery or tendon/ligament damage) and infection is high. Often, because of the depth of a bite-wound, the treating doctor will recommend leaving the wound "open" as opposed to stitching it closed. With daily irrigation and cleaning, the risk of infection is lessened. Of course, leaving the wound open increases the likelihood and the extent of scarring.