Peoria County Animal Protection Services (PCAPS) joins the American Veterinary Medical Association to raise awareness of National Dog Bite Prevention Week May 20-26. An estimated 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs every year. Of those bitten, 800,000 individuals require medical treatment and half of those are children. In our community, animal control officers investigate more than 600 animal bites each year, some bites resulting in serious injuries. Pet owners must be responsible with their dogs to prevent animal bites to innocent victims. PCAPS suggests pet owners:

• Keep your pet restrained to your own property and supervised at all times
• Never leave your pet unattended with children or strangers
• Make sure your pet has a current rabies vaccination and rabies tag
• Spay or neuter your dog
• Train and socialize your dog

It is also important to educate children about basic safety around dogs.  PCAPS advises that children be taught to:

• Not approach, touch, or play with any dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies
• Not pet unfamiliar dogs without asking permission from the dog’s guardian first. If the guardian says it is okay, the child should first let the dog sniff his or her closed hand.
• Tell an adult immediately if they see a dog off-leash outside
• Not run or scream if a loose dog approaches. Instead, the child should avoid eye contact with the animal and stand very still, like a tree, until the animal moves away.

For more information, call Peoria County Animal Protection Services at 672-2440.