Animal Bite Prevention

While that's true for the vast majority of dogs, even the cuddliest, fuzziest, sweetest pup can bite if provoked. Unwisely, some owners actually promote aggression in their dogs as symbols of power. From nips to bites to actual attacks, dog bites are a serious problem. Dog bite victims requiring medical attention in the United States number 500,000 to 1 million annually. Countless more bites go unreported and untreated. On average, about a dozen people die each year from dog bites. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to address this problem.

Who's being bitten? Children make up more than 60% of all dog bite victims. The elderly and home service people like mail carriers and meter readers also are high on the list of frequent dog bite victims.

Pet owners, learn how to mitigate biting. It is also important for parents to teach their child how to interact with dogs appropriately.

Rabies Prevention

The best way to prevent rabies is to make sure your pets get and stay vaccinated against rabies!

• Get your pets spayed or neutered. Pets that are fixed are less likely to leave home, become strays, and make more stray animals.
• Make sure your pet gets and wears their rabies vaccination tags. They should also wear a tag with their name and your address and phone number. Keep them in a fenced yard or on a leash.
• Walk your dog on a leash. Never let them roam freely where wildlife may be present. Consider keeping your pets indoors. Call animal control to take wild or stray animals away, especially if you see an animal acting strangely. If an animal bites your pet, handle your pet carefully so you do not get bitten. Get a rabies booster vaccination for them. Even if they have had the rabies vaccination, a booster shot will help them fight off the disease better.