Man's Best Friend Can Bite
Parents are advised to teach their child to ask permission from the owner before petting a strange dog.
Even though they can be furry, cuddly and sweet, some of man’s best friends will bite. Every year, more than 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), will sponsor National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 15 to 22.
“There is no such thing as a good or bad breed of dog,” said Ron Warner, DVM, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. “All dogs can bite if they are provoked and the key is educating you and your family, especially your children about the severity of the problem.”
As many as 800,000 people annually require medical treatment for dog bites, according to the AVMA. Children should be taught to never approach strange dogs to pet them without first asking permission from the pet’s owner.
Warner said if there is ever a case where a dog attacks you, fall to the ground, curl yourself into a ball and cover and protect your neck and face.
According to the AVMA, there are many things a person can do to be a responsible pet owner:
- Neutering your dog can help. Neutered dogs are three times less likely to bite.
- Keep your dog healthy by having your pet vaccinated against rabies.
- Train your dog to respond to the basic commands.
- Don’t put your dog in a position where it feels threatened or teased.
- Socialize your dog so it feels at ease with strangers.
- Be alert to signs your dog is uncomfortable or feeling aggressive.
- Never leave your dog alone with a baby or small child.
National Dog Bite Prevention Week is sponsored by the AVMA, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Postal Service.
Related
Related Stories
A Rite of Passage for Next Generation of Physicians
Students in TTUHSC's School of Medicine Class of 2028 received their first white coat and pledged their commitment to the medical profession at the White Coat Ceremony Friday (July 26) at the Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences.
How Does Your Garden Grow?
As spring approaches, some people’s thoughts turn to gardening. Whether it’s a flower garden they desire or a vegetable garden want to have, they begin planning what they’ll plant and what they need to do to ensure a successful garden.
Adopt a Growth Mindset for a Better Life
A “growth mindset” accepts that our intelligence and talents can develop over time, and a person with that mindset understands that intelligence and talents can improve through effort and learning.
Recent Stories
Moustaïd-Moussa Ready to Lead Collaborative Institute for One Health Innovation
Naïma Moustaïd-Moussa, Ph.D., is the inaugural executive director of a collaborative effort between TTUHSC and TTU known as the Institute for One Health Innovation (IOHI).
Cannabis, Delta 8 and Youth: What You Need to Know
Zach Sneed, Ph.D., CRC, LCDC, sat down to share what we currently know regarding the use of Cannabis and Delta 8 among youth and the potential risks and misinformation to be aware of.
Health Literacy for Local Youth: The Dangers of Cannabis on the Developing Brain
Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program at TTUHSC Molly Setliff, OTR, OTD, and her son, an MS and biology teacher for a local high school, joined forces to improve the health literacy of freshman students regarding the dangers of ingesting THC.