Avoid Dog Bites

We should keep in mind the possibility of encountering a dog capable of biting a person and the measures we should take to avoid a bite.

Dr. Carazo stated that "We must consider dogs (and our pets) as living beings that, although in a way that we cannot yet measure, feel and suffer love, loyalty, sense of belonging, fear, depression, jealousy, courage, curiosity and a whole range of feelings that a large part of our population does not yet recognize in animals. Every canine pet develops a unique personality. A socialized dog that lives with a family, becomes part of that family and has the best chance of never biting anyone. However, whether due to genetic predisposition (there are breeds that bite people more than others), or social-psychological predisposition (e.g., animals that for some reason have been raised with little human contact), there are canines in our immediate environment that are predisposed to bite".

Evita las mordeduras

Some causes that can lead to a dog bite and ways to prevent bites are:

PREVENT

• That the dog feels threatened (afraid) or cornered.
• Revival or lack of socialization - Pet owners should avoid creating "rough dogs" either through revival or lack of socialization by not devoting time to them. At least two hours of attention and affection should be devoted to your dog daily. Also, bring the dog gently to other people who are not part of the family to accustom it to visits.
• It is advisable to approach any dog we do not know with caution. We must consider that most of the dogs have not been socialized and many of them have developed a behavior that follows a hierarchy established in the groups or packs that they form when they are in feral states.
• We should never approach or touch a dog's puppies as she will probably defend them by biting.
• People who attend to or attempt to handle animals that are in pain (e.g., people attending to animals impacted by automobiles) are at high risk of being bitten.
• We should not approach dogs while they are eating and try to remove their food even less.
• We should not take toys or other objects of interest away from a dog while they are in your possession.
• Interrupting and wanting to break up a fight between two or more dogs exposes the individual to a high risk of being bitten.
• You should never leave young children, the elderly, the disabled, or other physically or mentally handicapped persons alone with dogs or other pets that have the capacity to inflict harm. This is to avoid bites or other physical harm to humans or at the other extreme, result in mistreatment of animals.
• There are instances when a dog is mistreated when it is caged or tied up and then when it is free it attacks the abuser.
• We must teach children that they should not touch a dog that is loose without the owner present, while it is eating or tied up or behind a fence. It is only advisable to touch a dog that we do not know, when the owner is present, has it under his control (collar and chain) and gives permission to touch it.
• It is important to teach our children that dogs are not to be shouted at, nor are they to be mistreated. We must provide our pets with everything they need for a good life and give them affection. We must also teach our children compassion towards animals so that, in the future, they develop the skill of empathy and practice it with their human peers.

The veterinarian indicates that, if a dog is barking intensely, growling, and showing its teeth, with its legs stiff, tail standing up, back hair standing on end and making advances, then it is exhibiting aggressive behavior and may bite.

It is important that children learn how to behave in situations of confrontation with dogs, since statistics show that this group is the most affected by bites.

If the dog manages to knock you down, the veterinarian explained that you should assume a fetal position and protect the face and neck with your arms. "If bitten, wash the wound with soap and water for five minutes and visit a doctor as soon as possible," the doctor pointed out, emphasizing that the health care provider should fill out a bite report and submit it to the Health Department to conduct an investigation to determine the risk of rabies.