Special to the Star-Herald
This week is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. Each year, over 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs; children ages 5-9 are reported likely to be bitten. Education is the key to preventing dog bites, but it takes a community effort. It is important that we all work together to teach our children basic safety tips and review them regularly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention give us the following safety tips:
• Do not approach an unfamiliar dog.
• Do not run from a dog and scream.
• Remain motionless (i.e. “be still like a tree”) when approached by an unfamiliar dog.
• If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still (i.e. “be still like a log”).
• Do not play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.
• Immediately report stray dogs or dogs displaying unusual behavior to an adult.
• Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.
• Do not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
• Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
• If bitten, immediately report the bite to an adult.
For more dog bite prevention information, visit www.husu.org. The Humane Society of the United States has a wealth of information regarding dog bite prevention and statistics. If you would like someone from the Central Aroostook Humane Society to speak to your group regarding dog bite prevention or if you are looking for resources, please contact us at 764-3441.
Don’t forget Story Time with the Animals, Saturday, May 19 at 10 a.m.
Looking for a friend for life? Please consider adopting from the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We are open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, or give us a call at 764-3441. You can visit us on line at www.centralaroostookhumanesociety.org.
Please have your pets spayed or neutered.
