International Dog Bite Prevention Program - American Veterinary Medical Association Convention

Main Category: Veterinary
Article Date: 22 Jul 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Approximately 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs every year and about 800,000 of these individuals - half of which are children - are bitten severely enough that they receive medical attention. At this year's annual convention of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in New Orleans, July 18-22, there have been several presentations and an announcement of the release in this country of a new AVMA-sponsored dog-bite prevention program.

Dr. Ilana Reisner, University of Pennsylvania, conducted the first program dealing with the complex issue of dog bites during Canine Aggression to Children at 10 a.m. on July 20.

Dr. Reisner says that dog bites persist in part because dog behavior is poorly understood by the general public. Some simple precautions and knowledge can often prevent these bites.

"Children are more likely to get bitten by dogs because of the way they interact with dogs. For example, they move faster, are often unpredictable, and are more likely to try to interact with the dog in a way that unexpectedly provokes aggression. Children are more likely to approach a sleeping dog - or one that is eating - and decide to kiss it on the head," Dr. Reisner explains.

"But it's adults that may not understand and address the safety issues. Many children are bitten while adults are present, even in the same room," she adds. "Some dog owners feel that their dog should accept petting by any stranger or child, a practice that can be threatening to many dogs."

Dr. Reisner's program offers information about the causes and prevention of dog bites to children.

Many municipalities have moved to outlaw pit bulls in an effort to curb dog bites, but Dr. Reisner says that people shouldn't include a dog's breed as a variable when determining whether or not it's likely to bite. While some studies have shown that certain breeds seem to have a higher incidence of dog bites, these results are often skewed by the surveyed population and even by the popularity of some breeds. "Any breed - or mix - is capable of biting," she says. "It's important to resist thinking of risk in terms of stereotypes; even a perfectly nice, trustworthy, family pet can bite."

The risk of biting cannot be completely stopped or "cured," Dr. Reisner notes. With an understanding of dogs, their social behavior, body language and simple safety rules, she feels it is possible to prevent dog bites or reduce their risk, and potentially avert a disaster.

"We know what the risks are," Dr. Reisner said. "Parents should never leave a newborn infant alone with a dog - any dog, any breed, any size, even if it's a "good dog" and the baby is asleep. Separation is the only reliable way to prevent fatal attacks on infants. And that means any dog, even very small dogs."

The AVMA also hosted a program during the convention from 2 to 5 p.m. July 21 on the Blue Dog Trust, a European dog bite prevention program. This coincided with the AVMA's announced release of the Blue Dog Parent Guide and CD for American audiences.

The Blue Dog bite-prevention project is an educational program that targets the group most at risk for dog bites, children 3 to 6 years old. Educational studies and scientific evaluations of the program support the fact that children in this age group learn from the Blue Dog project and retain behaviors they have learned.

"We are very optimistic that American veterinarians and the AVMA will welcome Blue Dog as a useful educational tool that complements their own efforts in the field of dog bite prevention," says Dr. Tiny De Keuster, chairman of the Blue Dog Trust. "I have been overwhelmed by the enthusiastic support of professional colleagues from around the world in the development phases of this project - there is clearly a need for this unique tool within the overall strategy of dog bite prevention."

The Blue Dog program is aimed at children between 3 and 6 years old because they are twice as likely as adults to be the victim of a bite from a dog, and are far more likely to be severely injured. Most of these attacks are by dogs familiar to the child; fifty-five percent (55%) of children suffer post traumatic stress disorder following a substantial bite.

The program's goal is to train young children, as well as their parents, to behave appropriately around dogs, particularly their own pets, in order to discourage dog bites. It accomplishes this through an interactive computer game that presents children with scenarios that may likely result in a dog bite and asks what they would do in that situation.

If they give the right answer, the game shows them a positive result, but if they guess wrong, they are shown the negative result, as well as given a chance to try again.

Based on the proven success of the Blue Dog Trust and the European version of the program, the AVMA has partnered with the Trust to introduce an American version of the program.

For more information about the AVMA annual convention in New Orleans July 18-22, visit http://www.avmaconventionmedia.org.

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The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and its more than 76,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide variety of activities dedicated to advancing the science and art of animal, human and public health. Visit the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org for more information.

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