2012/07/25 Council Agenda Packet

Do be calm. • Always talk in a quiet voice or whisper-- no shouting -- and take a"time out" if you feel angry or frustrated. Do be still. • If a loose dog approaches you, stand still like a tree. Keep your hands at your sides, and stay quiet and calm. Look away from the dog. • If you are on the ground, curl up into a ball, like a rock. Keep your knees to your chest and your hands over your ears. Stay quiet and calm. Look down at your knees, not at the dog. • Always make slow movements, set things down carefully and don't run when you're around dogs, as this gets them excited and they may accidently hurt you. What can dog owners do? Neutering reduces aggression, especially in males. Un-neutered dogs are more than 2.6 times more likely to bite than neutered dogs.3 Female dogs in heat and nursing moms are much more dangerous than spayed females, and their behavior can be unpredictable. Talk to your veterinarian to schedule an appointment, or contact your local humane organization or animal shelter for information on low-cost spay/neuter assistance. Supervise your dog. Dogs left on their own may feel uncertain and defensive, or even overly confident, and this poses risks to your dog, as well as to other people and dogs. Eighty-eight percent of fatal dog attacks among 2-year-olds occurred when the child was left unsupervised.1 Train and socialize your dog. Be sure your dog interacts with and has good manners around all members of the family, the public and other animals. Basic training is as important for the owner as it is for the dog, and socialization is the key to a well-adjusted adult dog. It is essential that puppies between 8 and 16 weeks old be exposed to a variety of people, places, dogs and other animals.As dogs age, do your best to continue their exposure to these things to ensure that they are well socialized throughout their lives. Restrain your dog. Twenty-four percent of fatal dog attacks involved loose dogs that were off their owner's property.4 Dogs that are allowed to roam loose outside the yard may perceive your entire neighborhood as their"territory" and may defend it aggressively. By obeying leash laws and taking care to properly fence your yard, you will not only be respecting the laws in your community, but you will also be helping keep your dog safe from cars, other dogs and unforeseen dangers.