Dog Bites

Recently an 85-pound Argentine mastiff dog was saved from an icy lake after falling in while chasing a coyote; a Denver news channel decided to cover the story and reunite the dog, owner, and rescuer just a day later for a telling tale of bravery. Just minutes into the live interview the Denver television news anchor, Kyle Dyer, leaned her face toward the panting dog as she pet him and received a startling bite that left her with 70 stitches on her lips (which are currently sewn shut due to loss of blood) and nose. The dog was quarantined and later released, but the dog bite has made national news and become a topic of debate. All of this current talk brings us to today’s blog: dog bites. How can you prevent dog bites, and what are treatments if one is to arise? There are many reasons a dog bites; it may be out of fear or aggression; it may be territorial; or, it may be a lack of socialization that causes a pooch to bite. Keep your puppy content (fed, exercised, loved, trained) and with well socialized to avoid unnecessary nips, teach from a very young age that biting is not acceptable. Don’t forget to keep your furry friend up to date on their shots. If you approach a canine that is not yours, always assess their demeanor before throwing your hand out for a pat on the head. Panting may be due to a recent exercise, but it could also stem from fear. When dogs sweat, panting is a natural cooling system. News anchor, Kyle Dyer, reached to rub the head of a panting pooch that had just undergone rather traumatic circumstances a day earlier in an unfamiliar setting; it is more than likely that pup was panting out of nervousness, and the bite was a way of protecting himself. Likewise, don’t startle dogs by invading their space suddenly. Let the dog sniff around and approach you instead. If a dog is eating, sleeping, or caring for young pups, do not interrupt. If there is a dog bite that occurs, take action immediately. Wash the bitten area to avoid infection and seek medical care. If the bite is bad enough an ambulance might even be necessary. Get in touch with the local authorities, owner, and the dog’s veterinarian for medical papers, as well as future preventative steps. Being a responsible dog owner and an educated public are the two main steps to lowering the statistics of dog bites.