Bite Prevention
Children are the victims to
more than 60% of all bites. To make our children safe, these rules
should be
followed.
NEVER
leave a baby or small child alone with a dog. Be
aware of potentially dangerous situations.
Start teaching your children at young ages the following "Stay Safe
Rules"
Things
to do to communicate you are a friend to a dog:
- Stand still, facing slightly
sideways, off on an angle.
- Keep an eye on the dog even if
the owner responds to your call.
- Look at the dog's ears,
chest or the top of its head instead of looking in its' eyes, bring your
fist slowly up from beloyes.
- After asking permission to touch rather than shoving an open hand
down from above.
- Use slow movements.
- The slower you move the less
threatened the dog will feel.
- Always stand upright when near a
dog. If you have to bend over, squat- never bend at the waist.
- Use high vocal tones when
encountering a dog; it is a less threatening message.
If a dog charges at you:
- Stay still
- Remain calm
- Don't scream
- Speak softly
- Avoid eye contact
If you fall when a dog charges
you:
If Your
Dog Bites Someone
- Restrain the dog.
- Separate the dog from the area
and confine it securely.
- Check on the victim.
- Wash the wound with soap and
water.
- Seek medical attention.
- Call Animal Services and Enforcement
immediately: (321) 633-2024
If
Your The Bite Victim
- Stay calm.
- Take in a good description of
the animal or confine the animal if possible.
- Tell an adult.
- Wash the wound with soap and
water.
- Seek medical attention.
- Call Animal Services and Enforcement
immediately: (321) 633-2024.
Bite
Definition
To pierce the skin, especially with
teeth or fangs. A bleeding cat scratch is considered a bite. Any contact with a
bat or bats is considered a bite.
Who Gets
Bit
Children make up more than
60% of all dog bite victims. The national Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention estimates more than 50% of all children 12 and younger have been
bitten by a dog. High risk individuals are the elderly and home service people
like mail carriers and meter readers.
Pet
Ownership / Pet Selection
Before selecting a pet,
ask your veterinarian about behavior and suitability.
Socialize your pet
When your dog is a puppy,
expose him or her to a variety of social situations which include people and
animals. Make sure each of these outings are under controlled circumstances
and done a little at a time. Continue exposing your dog to social situations
through out its' life. Don't put your dog in a position where it feels
uncomfortable, this includes teasing or threatening environments. Recognize
how your dog responds in situations. This will help you identify when your
dog is uncomfortable or feeling aggressive.
Train your dog
Train your dog the basic commands
of "sit," "stay," "no," and "come". This
will build trust between pets and people. Avoid games like tug-of-war and
wrestling. These games encourage aggressive behavior.
Keep your Pet Healthy
Vaccinate your dog or cat against
rabies by a licensed veterinarian. In the state of Florida, a rabies vaccine
must be given at 4 months of age but can be vaccinated at 3 months of age. This
vaccine expires in one year. Then the dog or cat must be revaccinated with
either a one, two or three year rabies vaccine. Follow your veterinarian's
advice on a vaccination schedule.
Neuter your pet
Neutered pets are less likely to
bite: That's a fact! Not only does neutering create a less aggressive animal, it
also prevents pet over-population. Two positive outcomes with just one action!
Leash Law
An animal under physical control, is an
animal under mental control. The law states all animals must be leashed at all
times when off the property of the animal owner. In Brevard County, at large is
defined as off the premises of the owner, and not under the physical control of
a leash, cord or chain of sufficient strength to control the animal not to
exceed six (6) feet in length. If you love your pet, leash your pet!
