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Dog Bite Prevention (letter)
Dear Editor,
I am very pleased that you have chosen the issue of issue of "Dog Breeds", Dog Owner "Irresponsibility" and Dog Bite Education and Prevention, in your December 2000 Pet Age Editor's Note. As a veterinarian who has witnessed irresponsible human behavior that has resulted in the unnecessary and premature death of many dogs (some at my own hand with euthanasia), I applaud your editorial effort. I have observed human stupidity, which has caused great confusion and emotional conflict within their canine companion animal friends. This canine confusion, when acted out in society often resulted in injury in humans and the death of other animals. This action has resulted in knee-jerk responses by the irresponsible owner to destroy the dog, give it up for adoption or even turn it loose, so that the responsibility and cost is then shifted to the community. All of these actions, can and do, often result in a "rush to judgement" by attorneys or by eager elected officials who "want something to be done, now". Most often the true victims are those who have little or no say in the issue, children and dogs. I have read, and agree with, Dr. Gail Golab's conclusions in the September 15, 2000, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Special Reports article, Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the U.S. between 1979 and 1998. This is not a breed-specific issue, but an owner ignorance and irresponsibility issue.
I am glad that Pet Age is championing the issue of school-based and adult education programs. I am glad that Pet Age has called for action by pet retailers as an informed community segment that can and should become involved. Dog bite prevention is an important component of the Pet Care Trust "Animals in the Classroom" teacher workshops and the "Animals To the Classroom" pet retailers' seminars. In the last two years, sessions with the following information has been provided to 534 teachers and 121 retailers attending the programs. I hope this information will assist pet retailers in counseling customers about Dog Bite Prevention in their community.
"Bite Free" - A Guide to Teaching Dog Bite Safety -9 min video & k-8 manual, British Columbia SPCA
tele: 604-681-3379 or bcspca@mindlink.bc.ca est. cost US$29.95 + shipping. "Best for Kids education"
"Dogs, Cats & Kids" - Learning to Be Safe with Animals - 27 min video through Pet Love Partnership
tele: 800-784-0979. $20 + shipping. "A bit long for kids, but great if kids and parents view it together."
"Fido! Friend or Foe? Activity Book for k-6, by Auburn School Vet Med and State Farm Insurance Co.;
"Don't worry, they won't bite Ö" color poster for k-8, American Veterinary Medical Association;
both documents are free (while they last?) so call 877-254-3436. "Good display items"
Retailers could loan out videos to customers and schools, and put a copy in the local video rental store.
Sincerely,
John L. Pitts, DVM, Program Coordinator, the Pet Care Trust Foundation
PS Karen, if you print this letter, please feel free to ad an editors note that the Pet Retailers' Seminar will be held at the HH Backer show in Atlantic City and in Chicago.
Also the " " around comments related to videos above, are my comments and personal opinion after viewing (with neighbor kids) several dog bite programs. I show "bite free" at the teacher workshops and would show it at the retailers' seminar, if you can provide a video/vcr monitor jp
I am very pleased that you have chosen the issue of issue of "Dog Breeds", Dog Owner "Irresponsibility" and Dog Bite Education and Prevention, in your December 2000 Pet Age Editor's Note. As a veterinarian who has witnessed irresponsible human behavior that has resulted in the unnecessary and premature death of many dogs (some at my own hand with euthanasia), I applaud your editorial effort. I have observed human stupidity, which has caused great confusion and emotional conflict within their canine companion animal friends. This canine confusion, when acted out in society often resulted in injury in humans and the death of other animals. This action has resulted in knee-jerk responses by the irresponsible owner to destroy the dog, give it up for adoption or even turn it loose, so that the responsibility and cost is then shifted to the community. All of these actions, can and do, often result in a "rush to judgement" by attorneys or by eager elected officials who "want something to be done, now". Most often the true victims are those who have little or no say in the issue, children and dogs. I have read, and agree with, Dr. Gail Golab's conclusions in the September 15, 2000, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Special Reports article, Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the U.S. between 1979 and 1998. This is not a breed-specific issue, but an owner ignorance and irresponsibility issue.
I am glad that Pet Age is championing the issue of school-based and adult education programs. I am glad that Pet Age has called for action by pet retailers as an informed community segment that can and should become involved. Dog bite prevention is an important component of the Pet Care Trust "Animals in the Classroom" teacher workshops and the "Animals To the Classroom" pet retailers' seminars. In the last two years, sessions with the following information has been provided to 534 teachers and 121 retailers attending the programs. I hope this information will assist pet retailers in counseling customers about Dog Bite Prevention in their community.
"Bite Free" - A Guide to Teaching Dog Bite Safety -9 min video & k-8 manual, British Columbia SPCA
tele: 604-681-3379 or bcspca@mindlink.bc.ca est. cost US$29.95 + shipping. "Best for Kids education"
"Dogs, Cats & Kids" - Learning to Be Safe with Animals - 27 min video through Pet Love Partnership
tele: 800-784-0979. $20 + shipping. "A bit long for kids, but great if kids and parents view it together."
"Fido! Friend or Foe? Activity Book for k-6, by Auburn School Vet Med and State Farm Insurance Co.;
"Don't worry, they won't bite Ö" color poster for k-8, American Veterinary Medical Association;
both documents are free (while they last?) so call 877-254-3436. "Good display items"
Retailers could loan out videos to customers and schools, and put a copy in the local video rental store.
Sincerely,
John L. Pitts, DVM, Program Coordinator, the Pet Care Trust Foundation
PS Karen, if you print this letter, please feel free to ad an editors note that the Pet Retailers' Seminar will be held at the HH Backer show in Atlantic City and in Chicago.
Also the " " around comments related to videos above, are my comments and personal opinion after viewing (with neighbor kids) several dog bite programs. I show "bite free" at the teacher workshops and would show it at the retailers' seminar, if you can provide a video/vcr monitor jp
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