What should I do if are wonderful companions. my bites By acting responsibly, owners someone? not only reduce the number of “Don’t Worry, dog bites, but also enhance the Restrain the dog immediately. Separate it from the relationships they have with They Won’t Bite.” scene of the attack. Confine it. their dogs. To learn more about Check on the victim’s condition. Wash wounds with the joys and responsibilities of How to keep people AND dogs safe! soap and water. Professional medial advice should be ownership, contact Animal sought to evaluate the risk of or other infections. Care and Control. Call 911 if paramedic response is required. While it is true Provide important information: Your name and that most dogs address, and information about your dog’s most recent don’t bite, even rabies vaccination. the cuddliest, Report the bite to Animal Control. An officer will fuzziest, sweetest assist you in filing a report. If your dog does not have a pup can bite if current rabies vaccination, it may be necessary to quar- provoked. antine your animal. From nips to bites to actual attacks, dog If you are the bite victim: bites are a serious problem. victims requiring medical attention in If your own dog bit you, confine it immediately and con- tact Animal Care and Control. You will need to provide the United States number 500,000 to 1 current rabies vaccination information. million annually. Countless more bites go unreported and untreated. If someone else’s dog bit you, contact Animal Control and tell them everything you can about the dog. Try to Over 500 dog bites are reported in the provide the owner’s name, color and breed of the dog, Anchorage Animal Care and Control Municipality of Anchorage. 4711 Elmore Road size, where the dog is located, and if you have seen it Anchorage, AK 99507 Dog bites are not caused by “bad before. To report a bite: 343-8119 dogs”, but by careless or irresponsible Main Line: 343-8122 owners and people who do not know www.muni.org/animal IF YOU ARE BITTEN BY A DOG, how to be safe around dogs. CONTACT ANIMAL CONTROL Information provided by: Fortunately, there are steps we can IMMEDIATELY: 343-8119 State Farm General Insurance Company Home Offices: take as parents and pet owners to Bloomington, Illinois, www.statefarm.com American Veterinary Medial Association, www.avma.org prevent this problem. Who’s being bitten? Keep your dog healthy. Have your dog vaccinated dog. against rabies and preventable infectious diseases. • Start teaching young children– including Parasite control is important to how your dog feels and Children make up more than 60% of all dog bite toddlers– to be careful around . behaves. victims. The national Centers for Disease Con- trol and Prevention estimates half of all children Never leave kids unattended with your dog. Dogs • Children must be taught NOT to approach 12 and younger have been bitten by a dog. and kids are unpredictable. When unsupervised, kids strange dogs. tend to try what they have been told The elderly and home service people—like mail • Children should be taught to ask permission not to do (like pulling tails). carriers and meter readers—also are high on the from a dog’s owner before petting the dog. Toddlers and babies can look like list of frequent dog bite victims. prey animals to a dog (and they • Children should not be allowed to eat near a usually smell like food). Supervision dog, as the dog make try to get the “free What’s a dog owner to do? can prevent a tragedy for both the treat”. child and the dog. • Children should be taught to never look a Carefully consider your pet selection. Before Neuter your pet. It’s a fact: neutered dogs are less dog in the eye. This can be seen as a threat and after selection, your veterinarian or animal likely to bite. Be a responsible pet owner. License your by some dogs. care and control center are resources for dog with Anchorage Animal Care and Control. Obey information about behavior and suitability. leash laws. Make sure your pet is socialized. Start as soon Other tips that may prevent or stop a dog Keep your dog home. Dogs tend to get into trouble as possible. Expose your to a variety of attack: when they run loose. They can get hit by cars, teased situations a little at a time and under controlled or abused by people, or picked up as a stray. Keeping Don’t run past or away from a dog. Dogs circumstances. Continue that them safety contained in a fenced yard or inside your naturally love to chase and catch things. Don’t exposure on a regular basis as home will go a long way to preventing them from give them a reason to become excited or your dog gets older. For older someone. aggressive. dogs, enroll in an obedience class. If you’re not sure how your Be alert. Know your dog. You naturally would be alert Never disturb a dog that’s caring for , dog will react in a situation, be to signs of illness, but you must also watch for signs sleeping or eating. cautious. Don’t put your dog in a your dog is uncomfortable or feeling aggressive. If a dog approaches to sniff you, stay still. In position where it feels threatened most cases, the dog will go away when it or teased. determines you’re not a threat. Train your dog. Training builds a bond of How can my family and I If you’re threatened by a dog, remain calm. obedience and trust between pets and people. avoid being bitten? Don’t scream. If you say anything, speak calmly Don’t play aggressive games like wrestling or and firmly. Avoid eye contact. Try to stay still tug-o-war with your dog. Be cautious around strange dogs and treat your own until the dog leaves, or back away slowly until pet with respect. Because children are the most Don’t let your dog view or use children as the dog is out of sight. Don’t turn and run. frequent victims of dog bites, parents and caregivers toys. Letting your dog “play bite” or tug on should: If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl kid’s clothes can escalate very quickly to more into a ball. Put your hands over your head and dangerous behavior. • NEVER leave a baby or small child alone with a neck. Protect your face.