Pet's Bite Frequently Worse Than Its Bark

By ELAINE ROSE Staff Writer, (609) 272-7215, erose@pressofac.com

It's usually the pit bulls and Rottweilers who make the headlines.
But your dog - or cat - could just as easily become the culprit.
About 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs every year, and 60
percent of the victims are children, according to the American
Veterinary Medical Association. About 12 people die from dog bites
every year, and another 800,000 require medical attention. Often, the
biter is the family pet.

Closer to home, there were 367 dog bites reported last year in
Atlantic County, according to the county Department of Health. Cats
were responsible for 163 bites, and raccoons, bats and other wild
critters for 61.

"We have to assume that all dogs can bite," said Dr. Peter Falk of
the Ocean County Veterinary Hospital in Lakewood. "The larger the
breed, the more severe the bite."

Most bites occur when the dog is protecting something - its
territory, food, bed or puppies, Falk said. The problem is that most
people don't understand dogs' body language.

"People can say 'Don't do that' or walk away," Falk said. "Dogs have
limited ways of responding, and biting is one of them."
Perhaps no one knows more about the problem than the United States
Postal Service. Dog vs. letter carrier has been fodder for comic-
strip artists for decades. But mail carriers are frequent victims
because they frequently "invade" what dogs consider to be their
territory.

Nearly 3,100 postal employees were bitten last year, 33 of them in
southern New Jersey, said Ray Daiutolo, a spokesman for the United
States Postal Service.

Daiutolo said he isn't aware of any area letter carriers being bitten
by cats. But he did read about one case in another state where a
carrier was seriously scratched up when handing a letter into a home.

Preventing bites
Keeping human body parts out of dog's mouths has to be a community
effort, experts say. Dog owners, adults and especially parents, must
all be aware and take some basic safety precautions.
To prevent bites, dog owners should take their dogs out often so they
will feel more comfortable and less threatened in a variety of
situations, Falk said. Some basic obedience training wouldn't hurt.
Get your pet spayed or neutered, as it will reduce aggressive
tendencies, especially in males.

Cats are less likely to bite than dogs, Falk said. Most felines tend
to run from a situation that frightens them, so a cat is less likely
to bite unless it is cornered.

But cat-bite wounds are 10 times more likely to cause an infection
than dog bites, according to information provided by the Atlantic
County Health Department. That's because cat bites are small, deep
puncture wounds that are difficult to clean.

Donna Lawson of Devil Dog training in Ocean City said animals should
be taught proper behavior from the start.

From earliest puppyhood, start taking things out of your dog's mouth,
Lawson said. Toys, treats and food should be occasionally taken away,
so the dog learns not to guard its things.

"Small children are the Number One victims of dog bites," Lawson
said. "That's because toddlers will walk up and take things away from
the dog."

Young children's small size, fast movements and high-pitched voices
also make them likely targets for dog attacks. Most dogs will respect
something above their eye level, and toddlers just aren't big enough.
Parents need to teach their children how to behave around the family
pet, Lawson said. They should know not to bother an animal that is
eating, sleeping or caring for puppies or kittens.

And never let a dog and a toddler play together without supervision,
Lawson said.

"I don't care if it's Lassie, you don't leave it alone with a small
child," she said.

For pet owners:

*When choosing a pet, pick one that is compatible with your lifestyle
*Get your animal spayed or neutered
*Socialize your pet so it is comfortable in many situations.
*Teach your dog basic obedience.
*Keep your dog fenced in or on a leash at all times. Keep cats inside.
*Don't roughhouse with your dog. It makes dogs think that aggression
is OK.
*Give your dog plenty of exercise. That takes the edge off of
aggression.
*To break up a fight between two dogs, use a broom handle or similar
object, or dump water on the combatants. (Water works well on
fighting cats, too.)
*Make sure your dog is restrained, but not near the mailbox, at mail-
delivery time.
*Don't accept packages in your dog's presence. The dog may see it as a
threat and try to protect you.

General safety tips
*Never approach an animal you don't know. Stray cats may be cute, but
they are more likely than dogs to have rabies, so keep away.
*If a strange dog approaches, stand still with your arms at your
sides. Never run from a dog or scream. Say "Go Home!" in a firm voice.
*Don't pet a dog without the owner's permission. Introduce yourself to
the dog by extending your hand in a cupped position. Don't pet the
dog until it has a chance to sniff you.
*Don't look a dog right in the eye. They see this as a challenge.
*If you are bitten, control the bleeding and wash the area with soap
and water. Seek medical attention. Report the bite to your local
health department or animal-control officer.

Tips for parents
*Never leave a small child alone with a dog, even your trusted family
pet.
*Teach your children not to bother an animal that is eating, sleeping
or caring for puppies or kittens. Teach your children not to take
anything from the dog (though you may do it for training purposes).
*Show your child how to roll into a ball, cover his/her face and stay
still if knocked over by a dog.
*Don't let your children run wild and scream around the family dog.

(Sources: American Veterinary Medical Association, Devil Dog
Training, Ocean County Veterinary Hospital)

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