Preventing Dog Bites
A dog that bites can be a serious problem. Living in the close quarters of a city like New York, you need to make sure that you do everything you can to prevent a bite.
Any dog can bite: large or small, male or female, young or old. Even the friendliest dog can bite if it’s provoked. And take note: it’s NOT a dog’s breed that is a predictor or whether it will bite or not.
Every state has laws governing dog bites. Here’s a page from the New York State Senate about the Empire State’s laws and here’s an article from the New York State Bar Association answering questions about the law.
In addition to the state, New York City has rules governing “dangerous dogs”:
“Dangerous dog means a dog which menaces, threatens, attacks or bites a person or persons, or which kills or inflicts physical injury upon any persons, when such persons are peacefully conducting themselves in any place where they may lawfully be, and any dog owned or harbored for the purpose of dog fighting. A Department record of a bite report made pursuant to §11.03 or of a dog bite or other injury made by a police officer shall be prima facie evidence that a dog is dangerous.”
Worse case scenario? A dog can be euthanized if it has a history of biting and is deemed a dangerous dog.
Keeping your dog on a leash is one way to help prevent dog bites.
Prevention is the key: the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has the following two lists of guidelines for people to follow to help forestall dog bites.
There are times when people shouldn’t approach or pet a dog:
If the dog is not with its owner.
If the dog is with its owner but the owner does not give permission to pet the dog.
If the dog is on the other side of a fence, don’t reach through or over a fence to pet the dog.
If a dog is sleeping or eating.
If a dog is sick or injured.
If a dog is resting with her puppies or seems very protective of her puppies and anxious about your presence.
If a dog is playing with a toy.
If the dog is a service dog. Service dogs are working animals and shouldn’t be distracted while they are doing their jobs.
If the dog is growling or barking.
If the dog appears to be hiding or seeking time alone in its special place.
The AVMA also says that responsible dog ownership can lead to the prevention of dog bites. These tips include:
Carefully select your dog. Puppies should not be obtained on impulse.
Make sure your pet is socialized as a young puppy so it feels at ease around people and other animals.
Don't put your dog in a position where it feels threatened or teased.
Train your dog. The basic commands "sit," "stay," "no," and "come" help dogs understand what is expected of them and can be incorporated into fun activities that build a bond of trust between pets and people.
Walk and exercise your dog regularly to keep it healthy and provide mental stimulation.
Avoid highly excitable games like wrestling or tug-of-war.
Use a leash in public to ensure you are able to control your dog and to show others that you are in control of your dog.
Keep your dog healthy. Have your dog vaccinated against rabies and preventable infectious diseases. Parasite control and veterinary care are also important because how your dog feels affects how it behaves. A dog in pain is more likely to bite than a healthy one.
Be alert. Be able to recognize signs that your dog is stressed, uncomfortable, or showing signs of aggression. If your dog seems uneasy, remove them from whatever situation you find yourself in.
For more info check out this page from the AVMA. You can learn about how to safeguard delivery people and your family members; how to recognize signs of stress; and how to respond to dog bites. And here’s some info from the New York City Department of Health about dog bites.
