Readers know that I’m not one to preach, pontificate, or otherwise bore you to pieces. So I will try to make this post brief and to the point.
Nearly five million Americans are bitten by dogs on average each year. Almost 50 percent are children bitten by the family dog.
800,000 or so require treatment in a hospital, and dog-related injuries resulted in over 30 deaths annually.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) sponsors National Dog Bite Prevention Week annually to raise awareness and help people understand that many bites can be prevented.
Parents, some tips for you:
Never leave an infant, baby, toddler, or young child alone with any dog
Young children should never walk or feed the dog unsupervised.
Do not allow a small child to discipline the dog.
Prevent children from pulling on the dog’s collar. Do not permit aggressive or rough play.
Parents, please tell your school age children:
Never pet a strange dog, even if the owner is present.
Stay away from dogs that are eating or sleeping.
Do not approach dogs that are tied up or fenced.
Never retrieve a ball from an unfamiliar yard.
If a dog is approaching you, don’t turn and run. Stand still. Don’t put your hand out. Allow the dog to approach and sniff you. Don’t scream. Always face the dog but avoid eye contact.
Adults (especially postal workers, 34,000 of whom are attacked each year, and other delivery people) should keep in mind:
If approached by a strange dog, stand still, stand tall and don’t move until the dog loses interest in you.
Let the dog smell you, but don’t put your hand out.
Face the dog at all times but don’t make eye contact with the dog or stare — it can be perceived as a sign of aggression.
If your dog reacts aggressively to people or to other dogs, please don’t wait for the worst to happen. Get help NOW from a professional dog trainer/behavioral therapist.
End of lecture.
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