National Dog Bite Prevention April 9-15, 2017

(traditionally held during the third full week of May, the program will now be held during the second full week of April.) 

Each year, 800, 00 people in the United States will receive medical attention for dog bites and half of this number is children. Dog bite injuries are highest in children aged 5-9years of age. Almost two thirds of injuries among children ages 4 years and younger are to the head and neck areas. Injuries occur more often in boys than in girls. 

Preventing Dog Bites:

Do not approach an unfamiliar dog. Before petting someone’s dog, ask the owner’s permission. 

Let the dog “sniff” your closed hand, then pet the dog’s sides and back gently. 

Teach children not to scare or disturb a dog if it is eating, sleeping, playing with toys or caring for its puppies. Teach children not to tease, pinch, poke, pull, throw things, and wave a stick at a dog. Animals may bite if they are startled or frightened. 

Do not try to pet a dog that is in a car or behind a fence. Dogs will often protect their property and home. 

Don’t play rough with your dog as this can teach aggressiveness. 

Be sure your dog has a place it can go and not be disturbed. 

Do not leave young children alone with a dog. 

If an unfamiliar dog approaches, you remain still, hands at your sides and do not make eye contact. Do not scream and run. Never try to outrun a dog. Back away from him slowly. 

If you are on the ground, roll up into a ball with your hands over your ears. Stay still and quiet like this until the dog goes away. 

If the dog does attack, put anything you can between you and the dog like a jacket, purse book bag. 

Learn to understand a dog’s body language. Either an angry dog or a frightened dog may be prone to bite. An angry dog may try to make itself look bigger: ears standing up, the fur on its back standing on end, tail straight up (it may still be wagging). It may approach with teeth bares and growling, and stare straight at you. A frightened dog may put its tail between its legs, roll over on its back, crouch to the ground and fold its ears back. 

Instruct children to report any stray animals to you. They need to be reminded never to touch an injured animal or one exhibiting strange behavior.  

If you are bitten or attacked by a dog:

Immediately wash the wound with soap and warm water.

If needed, contact your physician for additional care or go to the local emergency room. 

Report the bite to your local animal control agency. Provide animal control with everything you know about the dog, including its owners name and address if known to you. If the dog is a stray, tell the animal control officer what the dog looks like, where you last saw the animal, if you have seen it before and in which direction it went. 

If your dog bites someone:

Confine the dog immediately and check on the victim’s condition. Seek medical help if necessary.

Provide the bit victim with your name, dogs’ information including dates of last vaccinations and veterinarians name and address.

Animal control will also need the animals’ medical information. The dog must be quarantined animal control officers will explain this process to you. 

Reducing dog bite risks:

Spay or neuter your animal. , this may help with aggressive tendencies and reduce your dog’s desire to roam and fight with other dogs.

Socialize your dog. Introduce you dog to many different types of people and situations so they are not nervous or frightened under normal circumstances. Dogs that are well socialized and supervised ate much less likely to bite.    

Train you dog and teach it appropriate behavior, do not teach the dog to chase after or attack others, even in fun. Set appropriate limits for our dog’s behavior. Dangerous behavior towards other animals may eventually lead to dangerous behavior toward people.

Be a responsible dog owner. License your dog as required by law, and provide regular veterinary care including rabies vaccinations. Don’t allow your dog to run loose. Dogs that spend a great deal of time alone or tied to a chain can often become dangerous. 

If you do not know how your dog will react to a new situation, be cautious. It is better to leave the animal at home than subject him to a crowd or strangers. 

The information above was provided by the NHSUS, SPCA and NAHEE.

Featured dog- Bonnie

Bonnie was found as a stray. She is a friendly little dog and loves people. She likes being held and petted. Bonnie is a bit shy but wants to be someone’s forever pet and be loved. She needs basic training and leash training. Everyday she blossoms under the love and attention she is receiving at the shelter. 

Other available dogs: Red, he loves people and playtime. Needs a diet and exercise routine. 

Featured Cat- Honey Bear

Honey Bear came from a quiet home with 2 other cats when their owner passed away. She is a flame point Siamese and 8 years old. She loves watching everything from a perch in the cat tree, being someplace secure, she likes being brushed and sitting quietly bedside you. She is recovering from having 3 stones surgically removed from her bladder and she will need to be on a special diet the rest of her life. She is currently in foster care and will return to the shelter on Monday April 10. Please contact the shelter if you are interested in meeting Honey Bear before Monday.  

Other available cats- at this time there are no other cats available for adoption. 

All animals will be spayed or neutered prior to leaving shelter and receive 1 year rabies vaccination and city license. Ages are approximate.

The City of Mesquite Animal Shelter located at 795 Hardy Way is open for adoptions from 11am until 1 pm, Monday through Saturday, Sunday 1pm -3pm. Please call 702-346-7415 during these hours to speak to the front desk. Animal Control may be reached by phone or voicemail at 702-346-5268 

The animals submitted to the media may have changed so please visit our Petfinder website for a current listing and more detailed information on the animals. www.mesquiteanimalshelter.petfinder.com

Please also check our Facebook pages for lost and found animals along with pet information. https://www.facebook.com/MesquiteNVAnimalControl and https://www.facebook.com/FRIENDSOFMESQUITENVANIMALSHELTER