From Dr. Baillie:
As school gets
out, and summer activities hit high gear, it's a good time of year to be
talking about dog bite prevention; almost 5 million dog bites occur every
year in our country. Bites accounted for more than one-third of
homeowners' insurance liability claims in 2011 according to the Insurance
Information Institute.
Teaching children how to interact with
dogs--even if you don't own one--can go a long way in preventing injury. Kids
aged 5-9 years old are most often the ones injured, and usually the dog that
bit them is not a stranger. The AVMA estimates that of the children under the
age of 18 who have been bitten, family dogs are responsible for 30% of the
bites, while the neighbor's dog is responsible for
another 50% of the bites.
Tips from the AVMA include:
*Carefully select your
pet, considering the breed and your own lifestyle. Puppies
should not be obtained on impulse. We are happy to consult with you about
finding your best dog breed match (in fact, we love to talk dogs!)
*Make sure your pet is
socialized as a puppy so it feels relaxed around people and animals.
*Don't put your dog in
a position where it feels threatened or teased.
*Train your dog. Basic
commands help dogs understand what is expected of them and can be incorporated
into fun activities that build a bond of trust.
*Walk and exercise
your dog regularly to keep it healthy and provide mental stimulation.
*Avoid highly
excitable games like wrestling or tug-of-war.
*Use a leash in public
to ensure you are able to control your dog.
*Keep your dog
vaccinated against rabies and preventable infectious diseases. Parasite control
and other health care are important because how your dog feels affects how it
behaves.
*Neuter your pet.
*Make sure gates are
secure.
If you are bitten
by a dog, here is a checklist of things you should do:
* If the dog's owner is present, get the
owner's name and contact information, and request proof of rabies vaccination.
* Clean bite wound with soap and water as
soon as possible.
* Consult your doctor immediately or go to
the emergency room if the bite
occurs after office
hours.
* Contact the dog's veterinarian to check
vaccination records.
We have sent several Cedar Pet Clinic Lake Elmo staff members for special training in dog bite prevention and have, in the past, presented programs for day camps and elementary schools. If you have questions or problems regarding dog bite situations feel free to call us at 651-770-3250 for help or advice.
For more information on dog bite
prevention, visit http://www.avma.org/public_health/dogbite/ for
helpful tips and resources for the whole family.
