Here’s something worth chewing on: millions of people are bitten by dogs each year, with the majority being children. Yet most – if not all – dog bites are entirely preventable. Even gentle, well-trained dogs are capable of biting when provoked, and it’s your job as a pet owner to help prevent dog bites whenever possible.
The second full week of April is National Dog Bite Prevention Week®, a time when American Humane encourages adults to protect both dogs and children by practicing responsible pet ownership. It’s important to keep in mind a few easy tips to prevent dog bites if you have an adorable pup by your side.
- Never leave a baby or small child alone with a dog, even if it’s a family pet.
- Don’t place your dog in an environment where it feels threatened and be sure to monitor all interactions between your dog and children.
- Use a leash in public at all times and exercise your dog regularly for their health and mental stimulation.
It’s up to us as humans to make sure our loving dog family members also stay safe. With these suggestions, you can keep both your pet and the people around you protected and help ensure that we share this world together safely with our furry best friends.
National Dog Bite Prevention Week® is a project of the National Dog Bite Prevention Week® Coalition and to kick off the week, American Humane participated in a Facebook Live event on April 11th to discuss how to prevent dog bites. Panelists included:
- Amber Batteiger, disaster and cruelty response specialist at American Humane
- José Arce, AVMA president
- Melissa Bain, veterinary behaviorist
- Heather Paul, public affairs specialist at State Farm
- Janet Ruiz, director of strategic communications at Insurance Information Institute
- Victoria Stilwell, celebrity dog trainer and founder of Victoria Stilwell Academy
Watch the live event to learn more: https://www.facebook.com/avmavets/videos/549456566495905.
