INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Animal Care & Control and the United States Post Office are joining forces with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 18th-24th.
More than 4.7 million people a year are victims of dog bites and as many as 1 million, more than half children, require medical attention for their bites. And unfortunately, countless more bites go unreported and untreated.
According to the Humane Society for the United States, small children, the elderly and letter carriers – in that order – are the most frequent dog bite victims. Small children represent the majority of victims, however, and are estimated to be 900 times more likely to be victimized by dog attacks than letter carriers.
“We want to raise awareness of the potential for, and consequences of, animal bites and National Dog Bite Prevention Week provides us the perfect opportunity to educate the public on dog bites and prevention,” said administrator Jim Garrard. “We want to inform the community on how to avoid dog bites and attacks as well as educate dog owners on how to reduce the risk of their dog attacking someone.”
“You can help protect your neighbors’ children and your letter carrier by making sure your pet is properly restrained,” said Indianapolis Postmaster John L. McEwen. “Last fiscal year more than 3,000 letter carriers in the nation suffered the pain of an OSHA-recordable dog bite. But that pales in comparison to the number of children who receive dog bites in a single year. Several of our letter carriers know first-hand about the prevention and pain of animal attacks, and we want to do whatever we can to help educate the community – especially parents and pet owners.”
According to the AVMA, lack of socialization, improper training, excitement and fear can all contribute to a dog attack. Even a nip on the leg is unacceptable behavior for a family dog.
For additional information please see (The following Links Require Adobe Acrobat Reader) Dog Bite Fact Sheet, Dog Bite Prevention Points or visit www.avma.org. To schedule an animal safety presentation please call Indianapolis Animal Care & Control at 317.327.1397.