Keeping Children Safe from Dog Attacks

Recently the neighbor boy was attacked, unprovoked by a pit bull dog while staying at his mother's house in town. He is going to be OK, thank God, but he has major injuries which required an overnight hospital stay and the use of crutches.

This event had me thinking about dogs, dog attacks and my children who often play outside. It only takes a moment for a dog to seriously injure a child, even kill them, and as we've all heard even the sweetest dogs can snap one day without notice.

After doing some research online I found this article, it recommends teaching your children the following;

1. Never pet or touch a dog you do not know, even if the owner is there.
2. Do not touch any dog while it's eating or sleeping.
3. If a dog chases you while riding your bike, immediately stop your bike and stand still.
4. Never enter someone else's property where a dog lives to retrieve a ball or toy, even if you know the dog.
5. Do not approach a dog with puppies.
6. Never go near a dog that has been tied up.
7. Never yank or even touch a dog's tail or ears, even if you know it.
8. Never bait or tease a dog, or anger it.
9. If a dog runs toward you while barking, freeze and cover your face with your hands.
10. If a dog runs at you and knocks you down, roll into a ball and cover your face with your arms, and freeze—don't move a muscle and do not try to get to your feet.

I encourage you, especially this time of year when children are walking to and from school, to take a moment this weekend and talk with your children about dog safety. It just may save their lives.