DOG BITE
PREVENTION WEEK April 10-16, 2022 BY C.A. RITZ
WATCH OUT! One day a little child skipped down her street to visit a kind elderly lady known for handing out freshly baked cookies. Through the woman’s wooden gate, up the stairs, and to the door was never an issue since that old woman delighted in company. The only obstacle that day to those yummy cookies was a fluffy noisy dog. Normally docile, the little dog chased the child away from the door, down the steps, and back through the gate which thankfully closed behind the girl. An even smaller child came along who did not heed warnings and stuck her hand through the fence toward the dog. NIP! That was a scene neither child would ever forget, nor the elderly lady who never handed out cookies again. I was one of those girls. We all know someone who’s been bitten. Obviously, you’d like to avoid this kind of situation, so what can be done?
AWARENESS Research reveals about 4.5 million people get bitten by dogs in the US every year. Some breeds of dogs have reputations for being dangerous, and a large dog can often be more threatening than a small one. Courts encounter many lawsuits yearly. The American Veterinary Medical Association recognizes the role dogs fill in families, but also acknowledges a potential danger. However, many animal bites can be prevented through awareness. So, how can you stay safe? Here are a few tips.
AS A PEDESTRIAN OR VISITOR
✘ ✘ Don’t awaken a sleeping dog ✘ Don’t take a dog’s toy or food ✘ Never walk between a mother dog Don’t startle a dog
and her puppies
✔ ✔ ✔
Watch for animal warning signs like:
→ A dog’s ears pulled back or eyes widened → Fur standing upward → A dog crouching, growling or barking
Keep your eyes to the owner, not the dog Keep your hands to self until given permission
AS A RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER ➠ DO NOT put your dog in unsupervised situations without you ➠ DO NOT put your dog in public scary situations, like firework displays ➠ PLEASE keep your dog leashed at public events
THE END OF THE STORY Children grow and memories fade. After overcoming more than one dog-related scary moment, a furry dog named Tiger came into our lives. With big brown eyes and a sweet temperament, he sat waiting in the middle of a pet store looking to adopt a family. Who would believe he’d been there three weeks without finding a home? Leaving the store, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was meant to be our dog, so we went back! We’ll always be thankful for the training and love Tiger brought into our home. Dogs, if trained, and children if taught boundaries, can thrive together. Remember to do your part to keep yourself and others safe.
Have a tremendous spring! C.A. Ritz ~ Author & Illustrator cynthialeopoldritsko.com Las Vegas Pet Scene Magazine • March/April 2022
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