Earlier this week the American Veterinary Medical Association announced that Pennsylvania ranked No. 5 on a list of cities with the most dog-bite-related insurance claims according to State Farm and that specifically Philadelphia ranked No. 5 in the country in 2012 for cities where U.S. postal workers are attacked by dogs.
According to State Farm, its Pennsylvania customers filed 165 claims worth $4.5 million in 2012. The U.S. Postal Service reported 34 attacks of its workers by dogs in Philadelphia in 2012.
Sunday, May 19, kicks off National Dog Bite Prevention Week, so I thought I would list a few of the tips I received this week that I thought were most practical.
Advice for people from the AVMA:
- Don’t run past a dog. Dogs naturally love to chase and catch things.
- Never disturb a dog that is caring for puppies, sleeping or eating.
- If a dog approaches to sniff you, stay still. In most cases, the dog will go away when it determines you are not a threat.
- If you are threatened by a dog, remain calm. Don’t scream or yell.
- If you say anything, speak calmly and firmly. Avoid eye contact. Try to stay still until the dog leaves, or back away slowly until the dog is out of sight. Don’t turn and run.
- If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your head and neck. Protect your face.
Heidi Ganahl, CEO and founder of Camp Bow Wow (a canine day care and overnight boarding franchise), offered the following advice for dog owners:
- Socialize your pet at early stages in his or her development. This will allow your pet to feel at ease around people and other animals in social settings.
- Train your dog. Basic commands such as “sit” and “stay” help dogs understand what is expected of them. Training can also be incorporated into fun activities that establish the owner as an authoritative figure, yet strengthen the bond between owner and dog as companion and friend.
- Never leave a child under 10 years old alone with a dog, no matter how much you trust your four-legged friend. Dogs tend to give warnings when they are uncomfortable and may bite in response. In most cases, children aren’t able to pick up on these signals and can easily get hurt.
- Use a leash to ensure that you are able to control your dog in public settings. If your pet becomes excited or anxious for any reason, draw him near and gently pat his head or rub his fur to calm him down.
- Never chain your dog in the backyard or any other area. Dogs who are chained up feel increased levels of stress and protectiveness. A dog that is confined and feels threatened is more likely to bite.
- If you have a fenced yard, make sure your gates are secure. This will prevent Fido from running off into public spaces and interacting with others without your supervision.
All of those suggestions are quite good and I particularly liked that it approached dog bites from the perspective of someone encountering a dog and someone who owns a dog. Both parties need to be enlighten and take responsibility.