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Dog Bite Prevention & Education for Children & Adults
Teacher Workshop Information presented with "Bite Free" video
Children Should Be Taught the Importance of Interaction with Dogs:
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- Do Not Tease or Play Aggressive Games with Dogs, Cats or Other Animals
- Never Approach An Unfamiliar Dog or a Neighbor's Dog without Owner Permission
- Always Ask Owner if Dog is Friendly and Then Request Permission to Pet Dog
- Do Not Disturb a Dog or Cat that is Sleeping, Eating or Caring for their Young
- If Approached by Unfamiliar Dog, Remain Motionless and Never Scream or Run
- If on the Ground When Approached: Knees to Chest, Cover Ears, Lie Still Until Safe
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- Choosing a Pet Dog; Consult Professional to Determine Appropriate Breed
- Never Leave Infants or Young Children Alone with a Dog
- Never Allow Children to Run Up to Dogs to Play, Pet or Harass Dogs
- Remember that Children's Faces are at the Same Height as Many Dog Mouths
- Teach Children Rules About Dogs, how to approach, pet, react to dog behavior
- Enroll Yourself & Dog in Obedience Training Class
- Neuter Pet Male Dogs at a Young Age - Discuss with your Veterinarian
- Report Stray Dogs, Dogs Displaying Odd Behavior and All Dog Bites or Attacks
- Do Not Keep Dogs or Cats in Classrooms, only as Visitors with Trained Handler
Teacher Resources for Bite Prevention Education for the Entire School K-8:
| 1. "Bite Free" - A Guide to Teaching Dog Bite Safety - Video & K-8 Curriculum | |||
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British Columbia SPCA Education Division 322-470 Granville Street Vancouver, BC V6C 1V5 email: info@spca.bc.ca |
US$29.95 web: www.spca.bc.ca tele: 604-681-3379 fax 604-681-7022 |
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| 2. "Dog, Cats & Kids" - Learning to Be Safe with Animals - Video - 27 min. | |||
|
Pet Love Partnership P O Box 11331 Chicago, IL 60611 |
approx. US$20.00 + shipping tele: 800-784-0979 |
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| 3. Free Literature: | ||
| "Fido! Friend or Foe?" an activity book for elementary grades prepared by College of Vet Medicine, Auburn Univ. and State Farm Insurance Co. | ||
| "Don't worry, they won't bite ..." a color poster for K-8 grades from the American Veterinary Medical Association. Call toll free 877-254-3436 | ||
-Median age bitten is 15 yrs;
-Boys 5-9 have highest bite incidence rate (73% face, head, neck)
-60% of all dog bite fatalities occur in children less than 10 years of age
-26% of bites in children require medical care compared with 12% in adult bites
Contact Your Pet Store, Local Humane Society, SPCA or Animal Shelter for Help in Creating a School-Wide Dog Bite Education Program for Grades Pre-school and K-8
References - Annual Incidence of Dog Bites in Humans in the U.S.
-Journal American Medical Association - Science News Update, Week of Jan. 7, 1998:
Dog Bites are Significant Source of Injury in U.S. (annual survey 1992-94):
-Nearly 4.5 million injuries -670 hospitalizations
-CDC Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, May 30, 1997
-914 new dog bite injuries requiring ER per day -334,000 visits to ER
-Total ER services of $102.4 (57% kids < 20 yrs) -Ave. treated dog bite cost is $274
-21,000 office visits for medical treatment -3.73 million non-medical visits
-Median age bitten 15 yrs; boys 5-9 having highest incidence rate (73% face, head,neck)
-20 deaths per year on average
Dog Bite Related Fatalities - United States, 1995-1996
-1979-1994, 279 deaths by dog attacks -'95-'96, 25 deaths (80% children)
-Journal AMA- Medical News & Perspectives - Jan. 22/29, 1997
-1986, bites rank 12th among causes of non-fatal injury with 585,000 needing medical attention
-1994, est. 4.7 M bites, with 800,000 seeking medical attention
-Stressed: owner & public education; animal control at community level; bite reporting.
Dog Bites Recognized as Public Health Problem:
Similar Articles also Found 1995 &1996:
-2% of population bitten by dogs annually
-800,000 serious enough to require treatment (CDC)
-60% dog bite fatalities in children <10yr. old
-26% bites in children require medical care (12% adult)
-1995, State Farm paid $70M in claims, but total insured cost of dog bites is $2B annually
-Education: children stand still, no running/screaming; obedience training;
- Neuter male dogs
American Academy of Pediatrics, June, 1996, vol. 97 #6
American Academy of Pediatrics, November, 1995, vol. 96 #5
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