Dog bite prevention is a cornerstone of animal welfare. Most people don’t realize that, though, which is why awareness campaigns like National Dog Bite Prevention Week are so important. So many dogs are relinquished to shelters or put down because of preventable dog bites. Breed-specific legislation is frequently the knee-jerk reaction to a serious dog bite. Yet the focus of blame for dog bites is all too often placed on the wrong end of the leash–on the dog.
There have been some incredible posts about this important topic already, so I wanted to pass along three really phenomenal dog bite prevention posts that are worth a read and a share:
- No Dog About It: Preventing dog bites before they happen
- Fidose of Reality: Nine Ways to Prevent Dog Bites
- I’m Not a Monster: Any Dog Can Bite. Here’s How You Prevent It. (SUPER thorough – if you don’t read anything else, read this!)
And, if you’re a parent of both kids and dogs, or a teacher, or someone who has positive influence in a kid’s life, check out these super catchy videos from Stop The 77. The preschool video (scroll down about halfway) is really cute, and there are printable posters and things to go along with the videos. There’s even a section for trainers (all the way at the bottom) with tons of hands-on tips and information for teaching dog bite prevention.
This is important stuff. Keeping people and dogs safe, keeping dogs out of shelters, and staying on top of BSL-inciting incidents is vital for our dogs’ wellbeing. Read and share!
Have you seen any other great National Dog Bite Prevention Week posts, videos, or campaigns? If so, please share in the comments so we can all take a look!
