Children & Animals... From AJudster@ of www.judster.com
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus. The rabies virus lives in the saliva of a rabid animal and can be transmitted through a bite, scratch or by a lick in a wound or in the eye or mouth.
Follow these DO=s and DON=Ts to prevent animal bites and the spread of rabies:
DO avoid all strange animals especially wild, sick or injured ones even if they appear friendly
DO have respect for animals and treat your pets with kindness and respect;
DO make sure your pets have up-to-date rabies shots;
DO keep your pet in your yard and walk your dog on a leash:
DO avoid riding bikes, walking or playing where dogs are known to chase vehicles;
DON=T try to catch, feed or approach a wild or stray animal;
DON=T keep wild animals as pets;
DON=T tease, pull the tail or take away food, a bone or a toy that an animal is playing with or eating;
DON=T try to separate two animals that are fighting;
DON=T disturb an animal that is eating or sleeping;
DON=T hold your face close to an animal=s;
DON=T overexcite an animal even in play;
SAFETY RULES FOR MEETING A STRANGE DOG;
Meeting a strange dog can be a frightening and dangerous situation. Most important is to remain calm and follow these suggestions.
1. Stop, stand still and speak softly.
2. Wait and see what the dog is going to do.
3. Never touch a strange dog.
4. Do not make the first overture of friendship. Allow the dog to do this.
He will smell your first.
5. Don=t
turn your back on a dog moving toward you.
6. Look for cues of an unsafe dog: rigid body; stiff tail at Ahalf
mast@,
shrill, hysterical bark; crouching or slinking positions with nose close to
the ground, staring expression.
7. Try not to let the dog move behind you. Pivot slowly but don=t
move until the dog stops moving. Stop when the dog moves again.
8. Don=t
strike, kick or make threatening gestures.