In my travels around Phoenix, if I mention that I share my life with a Pit Bull, eyebrows raise, and some people actually gasp.
Last week I met a customer who physically stepped back, as if I were going to bite her, and proceeded to tell me how dangerous Pits are and how fearful she is when she sees one. She then churned out a series of untruths like a machine gun.
Though I am revered for my customer service and patience, I actually put my finger up in front of her face and told her to stop spreading falsehoods about the breed. Before she left I learned she had a Husky. Apparently, she doesn’t know that they are oftentimes included on the dangerous dog list!
This level of misinformation and blatant ignorance always stirs a reason for a story, so I began to investigate dog bite information. What I learned is that the dog bite scourge appears to involve all breeds of dog, and all dog owners are culpable.
While Pit Bulls and Rottweilers inflict an inconsistent number of serious or even fatal injuries, the dog bite hysteria involves dogs from pretty much all breeds. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) believes no particular breed is more likely to attack than another. Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds do top the list, but Chihuahuas, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, and retriever type dogs score as well.
In 2007 33 dog bites were fatal; 4.5 million were victims of dog bites; approximately 350,000 were seen in an emergency room. What I want to know is; was the bite the result of an assault, ending in the death of a human; playtime that escalated into a tooth catching some skin; or something in between?
Most fatal cases are from intact male dogs, and 70 percent of fatalities are children under age 10.
With kids under 10 in mind, I came upon a creative and incredibly useful rhyme for kids on the Facebook page of another animal lover, Robbin Perry, who, as it turns out, is a dog bite survivor and Pit Bull lover. She was kind enough to direct me to the true author of Pet Safety Tips for Kids, Patti Letawsky. It is copied verbatim, and in its entirety below.
The attached video was created specifically for animal control officers and others who are out in the field and who encounter dogs. It describes dog language; how to read what any dog is telling you; and what to do when approached by an unfamiliar dog. It was too informative not to include. Thanks to Maricopa County Animal Care and Control for creating this video!
Pet Safety Tips for Kids
Created by Patty Letawsky
Get permission from the owner before you pet Rover.
Many dogs are very friendly, but some dogs are not. Make sure to ask the owners if their dog is friendly and if it’s okay for you to pet the dog; and make sure to also ask your own parent or guardian before you pet somebody else’s dog. And be sure to follow all of the safety tips!
To pet a puppy or a kitten, you must ask an adult for permission.
It is also important to ask an adult before petting puppies or kittens, especially when the mama dog or cat is present. Mothers of almost any animal are naturally protective of their babies.
Petting under the chin is where you’ll begin.
After you have received permission to pet a dog, you should pet the dog under the chin area or on its chest. This way the dog can see where your hand is and what you are doing. Many dogs don’t like to be petted on the top of the head. They might think you are going to hurt them.
A dog may sniff your hand in order to understand.
A dog’s sense of smell is much, much greater than our own. Dogs use this sense of smell when greeting and getting to know newcomers. If a dog smells you to get to know you, hold your hand still and let him sniff the back of your hand while keeping your fingers tucked in. This will keep your fingers out of the way as well as not threaten the dog.
If a dog has a bone, you must leave him alone.
If a dog has a snack, you must keep back.
If a dog is eating or is chewing on a bone or other item, he/she might think you are going to take it away, which could cause the dog to protect what it has by growling, snapping or biting.
Respecting their space can save your face.
It is common sense to keep a respectable distance between a child's face and the teeth of a dog or a cat, even if it is the family pet.
If you run and shout, it can freak a dog out.
The way you behave can influence the way a dog behaves. If you scream, shout, run or swing your arms or feet around dogs, they are more likely to chase or attack you.
A shy dog will think you’re the bomb if your behavior is calm.
Your behavior can influence the way any dog behaves, but shy or nervous dogs can be even more affected by rambunctious children. Being calm around a shy dog can make them feel less nervous and more secure.
Whether you’re a girl or a boy, never tease or annoy.
If you are teasing or annoying a dog or a cat, they can’t tell you in words that they want you to stop; but they can tell you to stop by growling, biting or scratching.
Quiet and slow is the only way to go.
If you are scared of a dog, do not run or scream. It is safer to walk away slowly and quietly. As you calmly walk away, try not to stare into the dog’s eyes, or the dog might think you want to fight.
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