Dog Bite Prevention Week

The third week of May each year is designated astraining if your dog doesn't respond to your
Dog Bite Prevention Week. We've recently concludedcommands. Always keep your dog on a leash when
that week and hope that the statistics will show anout with you or use dog pens in your backyard. Spay
improvement over the prior year.or neuter your dog as they are less likely to bite
It's such a preventable issue, yet the numbers arewhen spayed or neutered. Never let a child answer
bad enough that a week has been dedicated to itsthe door with a dog loose in the home. Dogs are
awareness. So how bad is it? There are 4.7 millionprotective and may see the person at the door as a
victims of dog bites each year according to thethreat. Spend time with your dog playing and showing
American Veterinary Medical Association. They, alongaffection. Dogs that are well socialized don't tend to
with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the U. S.bite.
Postal Service and other agencies sponsor Dog BiteIf you encounter a loose dog when you're out and
Prevention Week which is a national educationalabout, don't approach it and don't run past it. Running
campaign.may make the dog start chasing you. Instead, try to
The majority of dog bite victims are children, withstay motionless until the dog loses interest and
the elderly and postal carriers coming next. Last year,leaves. If a dog starts to attack you, put something
Houston, TX led the nation in postal service carriersbetween you and the dog ... anything you have
being attacked by dogs, followed by Santa Ana, CAwhether it's a purse, backpack, bicycle, etc. You can
and then Sacramento, CA.use this to fend off the dog.
So what can a responsible dog owner do to preventA dog attack is very serious, not to mention very
their dog from being a part of this problem? Therescary. Let's all do our part to keep the numbers
are several things. First, consider dog obediencedown.