National Dog Bite Prevention Week

This May 21-27, 2000, The Humane Society of Southeast Texas (HSSET) joins The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) in recognizing National Dog Bite Prevention Week. Letter carriers with dogs attached to their ankles have been the subject of jokes and cartoons for years. But there is nothing funny about the dog bite injuries to the more than 4.7 million victims who are bitten each year, most of whom are children.

The HSSET and The HSUS agree that, in most cases, dog bites are not caused by "bad dogs" but by irresponsible dog owners. Dogs who have not been properly socialized to other persons, who are not supervised or safely confined, who are not sterilized, or who receive little attention and handling are those who often bite humans. Although particular breeds of dogs are often accused of being most likely to bite, other characteristics are better predictors of canine biting behavior. Dogs who have not been spayed or neutered are three times more likely to bite. For this reason, The HSSET and the HSUS suggest that the first step you take to prevent your dog from biting is to have him/her spayed or neutered. Proper socialization, supervision, humane training, and safe confinement are also important components of responsible pet ownership and bite prevention.

Most dog bite incidents can be prevented through public education and responsible pet ownership. National Dog Bite Prevention Week is an opportunity for animal care and control agencies, humane societies, post offices, public service agencies, veterinarians, dog trainers, educators, physicians, and many others to work together to address this significant - and largely preventable - public health problem.

It is also important that we teach everyone in our community - especially our children - how to avoid being bitten by dogs. For more information about dog-bite prevention education, contact The Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037; 202-452-1100.

Preventing and Avoiding Dog Bites

(Article from the Humane Society of the United States)

An estimated 4.7 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs each year. While about 2,500 of these are letter carriers, children are the most common victims of severe dog bites. Dog-bite injuries are a serious problem in our country, but they're a problem we can solve. Here's how:

• Spay or neuter your dog. Dogs who have NOT been spayed or neutered are three times more likely to bite than are dogs who HAVE been spayed or neutered.
• Train and socialize your dog so that he/she is comfortable being around people, including friends, neighbors, and children.
• Never play "attack" games with your dog. He won't always understand the difference between play and real-life situations.
• If you don't know how your dog will react to a new situation, be cautious. When a letter carrier or other service person comes to your door, be sure your dog is safely restrained or confined in another room before opening the door. Don't allow your dog to bark, jump against the door, or bite the mail as it comes through the mail slot; this will only teach your dog to attack the letter carrier.
• If your dog exhibits behavior such as growling, nipping, or biting - even on an occasional basis - seek professional advice from your veterinarian, an animal behaviorist, or a skilled dog trainer.
• Never approach a dog you don't know or a dog who is alone without his owner, especially if the dog is confined behind a fence, within a car, or (sadly) on a chain.
• Don't disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies. Don't pet a dog, even your own, without letting him see and sniff you first.
• When approached by a dog you don't know, don't run or scream. Instead, stand still with your hands at your sides and do not make direct eye contact with or speak to the dog. Teach children to "be a tree" until a dog goes away and practice this response with a stuffed toy dog.
• If you are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears. Lie still and keep quiet until the dog goes away. Teach children to "lie like a log" until a dog goes away.
• If a dog attacks, you may be able to decrease injury by "feeding" him your jacket, purse, bicycle, or anything else that can serve as a barrier between you and the dog.

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