Just a little while ago I read Aimee’s harrowing tale of her recent dog park outing with Moose and Lally. (See: You Should Have Seen the Other Guy?)
What an appropriate (yet unfortunate) tale that emphasizes this week’s theme: National Dog Bite Prevention Week.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Each year, 800,000 Americans seek medical attention for dog bites; half of these are children.” Yikes. Even worse, about 386,000 who suffered injuries needed to go to the emergency room; about a dozen people died.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
It might be a clichéd saying, but there’s a lot of wisdom there. 800,000 is an alarmingly high number (in my opinion). Even the CDC admits that dog bites are one of the most preventable of public health problems. It just takes a little caution, education, and, well, prevention.
So how can we all lower that number?
Spaying and Neutering
One thing Aimee noticed about the dog who attacked Moose was that it was not neutered. She pointed it out to the owner that it could be a possible cause of the dog’s aggression.
Spaying and neutering are important for a lot of reasons, mainly for fighting overpopulation, but it can also reduce aggressive tendencies. That’s why not only Aimee and I tout spaying and neutering at every turn, but why others do too. It triggers a variety of beneficial consequences. (i.e. Better health for your pet, perhaps a more calmer disposition, plus it helps to control the population, etc.)
Be Aware
Aimee’s case is also a little unique because she was in a place where you expect the dogs to be social. Owners of aggressive dogs are generally pretty good about keeping them away from other dogs, and/or warning other pet parents that theirs isn’t always friendly.
This particular owner was experimenting with the dog park for the first time. She wasn’t sure how her dog would react. Unfortunately, now she knows. However, this incident could have still been prevented. How? The other owner should have been with the dog monitoring its every interaction instead of away at a distance.
Never Be Trusting
I am guilty of this one. Even the nicest looking dog can have a fierce and mean personality. Luckily all of the stray and unfamiliar dogs I’ve ever approached have either come to me with tails wagging or ran for the hills. None have ever attacked.
But some do. You should never trust that cooing to a strange dog will calm it or make it trust you as you approach it. If they feel threatened, that flight or fight instinct may trigger the latter reaction instead of the former, resulting in a bite.
Always Supervise Your Children
I am always so impressed by the kids I meet while walking Murphy at the park who clearly want to pet him, but will always ask two very important questions first:
1. Does your dog bite?
2. Can I pet him?
Remember that earlier statistic? That children are victims of half of the dog bites each year?
If your child(ren) like(s) dogs, teach them to respect them. Just as you wouldn’t want some stranger rushing excitedly towards you, throwing their arms around you, or vigorously rubbing your skin all of a sudden, neither would most dogs. Respect their space and they’ll respect yours.
P.S. I happen to know Aimee’s got more articles coming related to this issue. Stay tuned to the Pets Blog this week for her tips and “what to do if” suggestions.