Many of us spend our time on Facebook scrolling through friend and family photos. Don’t we especially love all the animal posts? Awhile ago, I saw a post that was titled “These photos are not cute — they are dangerous.”
Most of the photos were of very young kids sitting on dogs, babies lying on dogs, kids butting animals’ heads, pulling on their ears, tugging on their toys or pulling on their’ snouts. Yikes.
There are reports that children receive from 60 percent to 70 percent of the dog bites in the U.S. each year. Actually, children are also more likely than adults to receive medical care for dog bites.
Dogs — and any pets, for that matter — have their limits. Pets should not have to tolerate uncomfortable treatment, and eventually and rightfully so, they may defend themselves.
Number one, children should be taught to respect other creatures and learn that they have feelings, too. Expecting a dog to “deal with it” because he is the family dog is not fair and not realistic.
People don’t realize their own beloved pet, for whatever reason, can unexpectedly lash out. Some of those reasons could include an aging pet developing arthritis or possibly having some new pain the owners are not aware of. A child climbing on a dog or pulling on them may be inflicting pain that could cause a pet to react. Bites happen when we don’t teach our children to be respectful of a pet’s space and boundaries.
Children should be taught to always ask first before approaching a dog and its owner. Don’t just assume that because the dog is small and cute, it’s OK to pet and touch it. This goes for adults, too. Every dog owner should be educated on body language and boundaries. It’s sad what some dogs have to go through due to misunderstanding or people’s lack of knowledge about dog behaviors.
Learn some dog body language and try to make a point of supervising, especially when young children are involved. It only takes a second for something to happen.
Looking for a new pet to join your family? Stop by the Central Aroostook Humane Society at 210 Cross St., Presque Isle. You can also check us out on Facebook.
Please be responsible: spay and neuter your pets.
Gloria J. Towle is on the Central Aroostook Humane Society board of directors.
