This is Nat'l Dog Bite Prevention Week

Today's news reports are filled with stories of children and adults who have been injured, or even killed, in vicious animal attacks.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week is May 19-25 and is an opportunity to emphasize to the public that responsible pet ownership can prevent these disturbing attacks. In Fiscal Year 2011 (October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011), the South Florida District had 73 dog-related incidents as compared with 50 in Fiscal Year 2012 (October 1, 2011 to date). Miami (tied with Buffalo NY) ranks #18 nationwide in the number of dog bite incidents.

The U.S. Postal Service, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), www.aap.org; the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM), www.microsurg.org; the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), www.avma.org; the Insurance Information Institute (III), www.iii.org; and Prevent The Bite (PTB), www.preventthebite.org are driving home the message that dog bites are a nationwide issue and that education can help prevent dog attacks to people of all ages. 

The Postal Service places the safety of its employees as a top priority. Letter carriers fearing for their safety due to a loose or unrestrained pet may stop delivery and ask homeowners to pick up their mail at the Post Office until the pet is restrained. In cases where a carrier sees a dog roaming and can’t  discern where it resides, delivery could be interrupted to the entire neighborhood.

Avoiding Attacks

1.  Never leave a baby or small child alone with a dog.

2.  Don’t run past a dog. The dog’s natural instinct is to chase and catch you.

3.  If a dog threatens you, don’t scream. Avoid eye contact. Try to remain motionless until the dog leaves, then back away slowly until the dog is out of sight.

4.  Never approach a strange dog, especially one that’s tethered or confined.

5.  Don’t disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.

6.  Anyone wanting to pet a dog should first obtain permission from the owner.

7.  Always let a dog see and sniff you before petting the animal.

8.  If you believe a dog is about to attack you, try to place something between yourself and the dog, such as a backpack or a bicycle.

9.  If you are knocked down by a dog, curl into a ball and protect your face with your hands.

Being a Responsible Dog Owner

1.  Obedience training can teach a dog to behave properly and help owners control their dogs.

2.   When letter carriers and others who are not familiar with your dog come to your home, keep your dog inside, in another room away from the door.

3.  In protecting their territory, dogs may interpret people’s actions as a threat.

4.  Spay or neuter your dog. Neutered dogs are less likely to roam.

5.  Dogs that receive little attention or handling, or are left tied up for long periods of time, frequently turn into biters.