By Elliot Bronson

Environmental Specialist I

Suwannee/Lafayette County Health Departments



Every year, more than 500 Florida residents sustain dog bite injuries severe enough to require hospitalization, and two Floridians die due to injuries from dog bites. Injury rates in Florida are highest among children between the ages of one and nine years old. However, dog bites can also result in serious injuries for teenagers and adults. In 2006, three Florida residents 25 years or older died as a result of dog attacks. Studies show that unneutered (intact) male dogs are associated with 70-76 percent of reported dog bites, emphasizing the importance of neutering pets. The number of dog bite injuries increase during the months of April through September, with the peak occurring in July. We encourage everyone to consider the following safety tips when interacting with dogs and thank all the responsible pet owners for taking the appropriate steps to control and vaccinate their pets.



Safety tips for children and adults:

* Never approach an unfamiliar dog.

* Never run from a dog and never scream around a dog.

* Do look a dog right in the eyes.

* If you believe a dog is about to attack you, try and place something in between yourself and the dog, such as backpack or a bicycle.

* If a dog knocks you over, roll into a ball, cover your face and stay still.

* Do not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.

* Children should never approach or play with dogs unless supervised by an adult.

* Children should tell an adult if they see a stray dog or a dog acting strangely.

* Adults should never leave an infant or young child alone with any dog, not even the family pet.



When you or your child approach a dog remember, to:

* Ask the owner for permission to pet the animal.

* Wait and watch the dog’s body language.

* Let the pet sniff you.

* Pet the dog in the direction of its fur.



Safety tips for dog owners:

* Before getting a dog, consult with a veterinarian or animal shelter personnel about which dog is right for your family and your lifestyle.

* Keep your dog healthy with regular check-ups, vaccinations and especially rabies vaccination!

* Spay or neuter your dog.

* Socialize with your dog so that it feels at ease around people and other animals.

* Do not put your dog in situations where it may feel threatened or teased.

* Follow leash laws. Do not let your dog roam freely.

* Train your dog to obey commands consistently such as “stay,” “sit” and “come.”

* See a veterinarian promptly if your dog is sick or injured. Illness and pain can make a dog more likely to bite.

* Do not play aggressive games with your dog.

When any animal bite occurs, the bite victim should seek medical attention immediately. Control the bleeding and wash the area of the bite with soap and water. Please report animal bite incidents to the Suwannee County Health Department (386-362-2708, ext 243) immediately after the bite has occurred. The animal must be quarantined for 10 days and observed for signs of illness. Animal Control should be contacted if assistance is needed to contain the animal (County: 386-208-0072) (City: 386-362-7463). Suwannee County Environmental Health Staff will observe the animal’s condition at the end of the quarantine period and if the animal appears to be in good health, no further medical follow-up is necessary. If the animal becomes ill or dies during quarantine, testing would be required to rule out rabies. The animal’s intact head can be sent to the state laboratory for rabies testing. If it is necessary to put down the animal at the time of the attack efforts should be made to preserve the head for testing. Do not shoot the animal in the head.