Most people would be surprised to know that nearly 3 million children are bitten by dogs each year – and that 58% of these incidents actually happen in the home. Emergency room doctors such as Josyann Abisaab offer solutions to help children to stay safe around their animals, and those of others.
Make sure not to leave children under five alone with animals, even if it’s your own animal. Children think that they are playfully roughhousing with the family dog – and don’t see that the dog has become annoyed or overly stimulated and may bite.
Teach children, as well, to know what proper behavior is around animals. They shouldn’t disturb a sleeping or eating animal and they shouldn’t try to remove a toy from an animal’s mouth. They need to know not to approach an unfamiliar animal unless the owner is there and grants them permission.
Should your child get bitten by a domesticated animal, you’ll need to get proof of shots from the animal’s owner. If the bite is from a stray cat or dog, you’ll need to consult your local animal control center.
