In light of National Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 20-26), here are some tips for keeping yourself and your loved ones safe from dog bites:
* Always spay or neuter your dogs. Unaltered dogs tend to be more territorial and more aggressive, which makes them three times more likely to bite.
* Never chain or cage dogs. Lack of socialization and the inability to escape perceived threats make chained dogs nearly three times more likely to attack than dogs who are not tethered.
* Report cruelty to animals immediately. People who use dogs to fight or as guard dogs often beat, starve and taunt dogs, which can make them aggressive and more prone to biting.
* Never leave animals and children unattended together. Both can be unpredictable, and even the most docile dog may bite if a child pulls the animal’s tail or startles the dog when it’s sleeping.
* Treat dogs as part of the family. Let them live indoors, where they can become socialized and learn how to interact with humans.
To learn more, visit www.PETA.org
Lindsay Pollard-Post
The PETA Foundation
Norfolk, Va.
Copy the Story LinkSend questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.