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**The Importance of Dog Bite Safety Training for Employees and the Community**
Training in dog bite prevention is essential not only for employees but also for the wider community. A remarkable incident in North Jersey exemplifies the significance of this training when a trained employee intervened during a dog attack to protect a 9-year-old girl.
In this case, a PSE&G worker named Paul Manzi was stopped at a traffic light on Mount Prospect Avenue in Newark when he saw a young girl being chased by a pit bull. Her mother was frantically trying to catch up. As the girl ran around a parked car, the pit bull got close, and the mother fell while trying to reach her daughter. 
Recognizing the imminent danger, Manzi’s training kicked in. Initially, he considered grabbing a stick from his truck, but then he remembered the umbrella, which had been highlighted in the dog bite safety training provided by PSE&G. When Manzi got to the scene, the dog was on top of the girl, while her mother struggled to pull the pit bull away. Despite the mother’s bravery, she needed help. Manzi stepped in, using the umbrella as a physical barrier between the dog and the girl. This quick thinking allowed the mother and daughter to retreat safely behind a gated fence.
The value of dog bite safety training was evident in this situation. Manzi’s actions were informed by the training he received, which included knowledge on using everyday objects like umbrellas for protection. With onlookers watching and some capturing the scene on their phones, it became clear that training could empower anyone to respond effectively in a crisis. This incident serves as a potent reminder of the importance of dog bite safety training. It not only prepares employees for potential hazards they may face in their jobs but also equips community members with the skills to act decisively during emergencies involving dogs. By emphasizing training and awareness, we can foster a safer environment for everyone.
Training explained:
The reason the umbrella worked is that when a dog is in prey or chase drive, the dog feels like it is winning, which builds its courage. However, when the chase stops and the dog is confronted, its defense drive kicks in, and now the dog must fight. If the dog can’t get around the umbrella, it loses its courage and runs away. If the dog were more dominant, it would have continued to fight. For this method to be effective, the umbrella needs to be a fast and strong-popping umbrella. When the dog enters defense drive, the sudden pop of the umbrella shocks it. The defense drive includes both fight and flight behaviors. Once the dog perceives that it is losing, flight mode takes over.
