September 2004
Volume 1 Issue 4
A non-profit organization dedicated to Dog Bite Prevention
Doggone Safe is the first federally incorporated non-profit organization in Canada dedicated to dog bite prevention education and victim support. Doggone Safe provides services in Canada, the US and around the world through its website and network of volunteers.
In This Issue
Safety Tips for Holiday Gatherings
Click here to join the Dog Bite Victim Support Group - this is a forum for families of child dog bite victims to talk about their experiences and concerns, learn from and support each other.
Thanksgiving will be here soon in Canada and the US. Family gatherings at the grandparent’s house are the source of fond memories for many. The grandparent’s dog may not enjoy these events as much as the rest of the family. Noise, confusion and changes in routine are stressful for dogs. Even a normally calm and docile pet may become agitated enough to bite under the extreme circumstances of a boisterous family celebration. Supervision may be lax if each adult thinks that another is watching the children. Children are the most likely victims of dog bites in this situation.
Here are some tips to help ensure and safe and
happy Thanksgiving for all family members, including the dog... Put the dog in his crate with a
bone or favorite chew toy, at least during the most hectic times – guests
arriving and leaving and dinner preparation and serving. Assign one adult to be in
charge of the dog, to watch for signs of stress and protect from unwanted
attention from grandchildren. Assign one adult to supervise
each baby or toddler with no other tasks expected. If you have multiple dogs,
consider kenneling them, crating them or keeping them in another room
during large gatherings.
Children on Halloween night are excited and doing their best to be scary. This is not a fair or safe situation to put even the best of dogs in. Even the normally terrific tolerant family dog can find this night hard to handle.
Here are some tips for setting up your dog with their own private Halloween bash in a safe quiet spot with a yummy treat of their own.
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Stuff a food dispensing toy with yummy mush and freeze it until it is "Halloween" time.
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Use a fan or radio for white noise. Something consistent is best.
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Be sure the blinds are down or the dog is not watching kids coming and going by the window. This will only frustrate him and allow him to practice barking and carrying on at the window.
Chocolate is toxic to dogs. Put candy in a safe spot.
Sometimes dogs are stolen, poisoned or injured by Halloween pranks. Keep your dog safe and sound inside your home.
Be safe and aware and have fun!
For more information on kid and dog safety on Halloween check out familypaws.com & doggonesafe.com & safekids.org
Case File stories are based on actual bite incidents - names are fictitious.
Mark was riding his skateboard down the sidewalk, when suddenly a neighbour's dog came out off its property and bit him. Suzanne, the owner of the dog was mortified. "She has never done anything like this before, I don't know what got into her. Bad dog!". The animal control officer who investigated the complaint from Mark's mother told Suzanne that Muffy would be put to sleep if she bit someone again.
A few weeks later Suzanne was at her summer home in another community with the family. Her kids were having swimming lessons in the community pool and Muffy was loose outside the fence, running frantically up and down the fence and barking while the children swam. A phone company worker was minding his own business, making a repair in an outside box, when Muffy took out her frustration on his unsuspecting behind. The other parents, who had been annoyed by the dog's racing and barking, were now angry as they realized that it could have been a child's face that was the target of the bite since there were many small children also outside the pool fence waiting for siblings to finish swimming. Suzanne, recalling the warning from the previous bite incident, gave a false name and address to the phone company investigator. "Muffy is my daughter's dog and she loves her so much, I just can't let her be put down".
Unfortunately owners often make excuses for their dogs and are in denial about the dog's capacity to bite, even after the dog has actually bitten. Muffy has bitten twice now and will certainly do so again if the triggers are presented. Suzanne should seek professional help to assess the dog's behaviour and rehabilitation potential and in the meantime the dog should be muzzled at all times outside, kept on a leash or in a crate and never be loose around children. Suzanne needs to consider very carefully whether this dog should get yet another chance. Mandatory microchipping would prevent owners like Suzanne from allowing their dogs to offend in different communities without records being shared.
The Teacher Kit that supports the Be a TreeTM - dog bite prevention education program for primary school students will be showcased in an exhibit at the upcoming TECHSPOs - educational symposia being held in November by the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians. Doggone Safe and the OAVT will be working together to encourage Vet Techs to go into their communities to deliver the Be a Tree program, while promoting their profession and the veterinary clinics in which they work.
Find out about the Be a Tree Teacher Kit (donation is made by the manufacturer to Doggone Safe for every kit sold)
Doggone Safe in association with Doggone Crazy! will be a Feature Attraction at the Celebration of the dog, with several dog bite prevention education shows at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair on Nov 8-11. The Royal is the largest fair of its kind in the world, attracting more than 300,000 visitors. The 2500 seat dog ring provides an excellent opportunity for education. This year's show will involve a life-sized version of the Doggone Crazy! board game, with audience members acting as live playing pieces. We can't wait for the fun to start!
For More Information...
For more information about Doggone Safe and for useful tips about bite prevention please visit the Doggone Safe website. Any materials found at the site can be used at websites or in printed matter without permission (unless specifically noted) provided proper credit is given. A link back to the Doggone Safe site is appreciated.
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