Aurora, Colo. (Aug. 11, 2020) - Greater rates of Colorado's children are going to the pediatric emergency department as a result of dog bites during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recently published commentary article in the Journal of Pediatrics. The article's authors, Cinnamon Dixon, DO, MPH/MSPH and Rakesh Mistry, MD/MS, who are attending physicians at Children's Hospital Colorado (Children's Colorado) and University of Colorado School of Medicine faculty, share data revealing significant increases in dog bite rates presenting to Children's Colorado since the initiation of statewide stay-at-home orders in March. Moreover, high rates of dog bite injuries have continued even as these orders have relaxed over time. "It is well known that the number of dog bites tends to increase during the spring and summer months," said Dr. Dixon. "However this year's rates of emergency department visits due to dog bites have been startling." The incidence of visits for dog bites to … [Read more...]
The JAPANESE TOSA…A Predatory Breed!!
It is no surprise that the Japanese Tosa is known as “The Canine Sumo Wrestler of the Orient.” This breed is one of the many known fighting breeds but with a BIG twist. This breed fights in competitions for honor, not blood. At least that was what the sport was originally about. Things have changed in the last 20 years--not in Japan, but here in the United States. So Just Who Is The Tosa??? • Like the Mastiff, the Tosa is also very large and fawn or black in color. He has a short, course coat with a long tail, a narrow body, and is taller than wide. The Mastiff’s body on the other hand is very thick and heavy with lots of substance. Despite the similarities in their heads, the Tosa has more jowls, drools a lot…not a very becoming trait, and looks narrower. Their extra jowls and very loose skin come from one of its strong ancestors, the Bloodhound. • The Tosa’s Wrestling Weight Classes are: o 75-100 pounds o 100-150 pounds o 150-200 pounds o 200-250 pounds (yes, these dogs … [Read more...]
Dog-Bites Soar at LA Animal Services – California
ANIMAL WATCH-GM Brenda Barnette let Assistant GM Tammy Watson announce the bad news at the LA Animal Services Board of Commissioners meeting that 94 dog bites/attacks occurred in LAAS animal shelters during 2019. This was up from 59 in 2018 and is more than a 59% increase. The victims were the public, volunteers, and employees. ARE DOG ATTACKS/BITES THE ‘NEW NORMAL’ AT LA CITY SHELTERS? Following is an excerpt from the official stats compiled by Los Angeles Animal Services: In 2018, 31 employees, 16 volunteers and 12 members of the public were bitten--6 of these injuries were "severe." In 2019, 39 employees, 32 volunteers (twice as many as in 2018) and 23 members of the public were victims of dog bites at LAAS shelters--8 were "severe" injuries. … [Read more...]
During coronavirus closures, what happens to animal shelters?
Corona virus equals more canine counters! Reportedly dog shelters are now empty. Animals provide great companionship and security. I’m sure everyone is thrilled these animals are leaving metal cages for new homes. More dogs will be in homes and yards for field employees to encounter. Making it difficult and dangerous for the employee to stay safe. Make sure your employees are trained to confront any and all dog scenarios. In the home, the yard or on the street. Provide your employee Dog Bite Safety training, PPE’s and good customer communication. If you have contact with the customer before arriving at the home, let them know it will be safer for the family dog to be put away. Are you asking? Do you have a dog? Where is the dog kept? Do you have a room or confined area to put the dog if the employee does enter the home or yard? Many customers won’t think twice about letting the dog out to interact with the employee. The adopted dog is even more dangerous, the owner has no idea how … [Read more...]
BO’S STORY… Bo was an Argentine Dogo!
Mitzi Robinson Bulli Ray - 04/21/2020 As many of you know who have participated in our programs, there is barely enough time to cover course content let alone get into story telling that supports that content based on our personal experiences with the dogs selected for our programs. In the weeks ahead, I will be writing about these “stories” and why we selected the animals that we did as well as how we saved other animals from being destroyed. Below, is the story of “Bo” our most popular dog in the history of our Occupational Dog Bite Safety Training Program. BO’S STORY… Bo was an Argentine Dogo! He came to us when he was 11 months old and through the years became the most requested and feared dog in our training program even though he never growled, barked, or took any bites on the jute sleeve. He rocked the field employees to their core. Why??? He was a true predatory animal. In other words, he was the silent attacker…a true opportunist. At 140 pounds, he was light on his feet … [Read more...]
Postal carriers report more dog bites, close encounters with dogs during holiday package increase
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) — Southern Idaho postal carriers are reporting an increasing number of dog bites and close encounters with dogs as they deliver a growing number of packages to doors and porches this holiday season. The injurious scenario is often the same; Postal carrier walks up to a house to deliver a package, the customer opens the door, the dog runs out the door and bites the carrier. According to USPS District Manager Laura Hubrich, these dog attacks are preventable. “If a carrier delivers a package or a certified letter to your front door, place your dog into a separate room and close the door before opening the front door,” Hubrich said. “Dogs have been known to burst through screen doors or plate-glass windows to get at strangers.” So far this holiday season, three Southern Idaho postal carriers have suffered dog bites with hundreds of reported close calls. Some of the attacks resulted in medical attention beyond first-aid, and in carriers being … [Read more...]
Prior ‘dangerous dog’ designation not needed for prosecution – Ohio
COLUMBUS — A dog must not have been previously designated as dangerous under Ohio law for an owner to be prosecuted when the pet attacks someone, the Ohio Supreme Court held Tuesday. But the court went on to say in a Hamilton County case that the dog owner’s conviction for failing to confine the animal should be reversed because the prosecution failed to meet its burden of proof. The decision as to whether a prior dangerous-dog designation is required in such a case resolves a dispute raised by two separate appellate court rulings that reached different conclusions. The decision stems from a 2016 incident for which Joseph Jones, of Cincinnati, was prosecuted for letting his American pit bull terrier off its leash. He said he removed the leash so his dog could protect him from an approaching stray. The two dogs interacted well together, but the stray then attacked a small Chinese Crested Hairless dog being walked by Alyssa Rushing, who had just exited the same apartment … [Read more...]
City aims to crack down on loose dogs – Cassville, MO
Cassville officials budget for catch equipment, plan to use existing facility. After months of pleas, led by Cassville resident Nadean Davis, the city of Cassville gave an answer as to what they plan to do to curb loose and aggressive dogs within city limits. Mayor Bill Shiveley said the city considered three options during budget hearings in November. Option one was to stay the course, with no action taken. Fiscally, this would be $0 for start-up and carry annual reoccurring costs of up to $250. Option two was to develop a more complete animal control program with a leash law, pet registration, a new facility, an animal control vehicle and a dedicated animal control officer. Estimated costs were $200,000 at start-up and annual costs of about $75,000. The third option was a hybrid solution, wherein the city will make a concerted effort to enforce the existing ordinances without a leash law or pet registration. “After looking at everything and discussing it at the budget … [Read more...]
Group of dogs attacks four people in Akron – Update
Owner of pit bulls faces 21 charges after attacks in Akron Update: Oct 11, 2019 Full Story: Four people, including a mail carrier, were attacked by a group of dogs in two incidents in Akron on Monday morning. Officers responded to the 800 block of Reed Avenue in East Akron for a report of three dogs biting. The dogs were gone by the time police arrived. A 36-year-old Norton woman told police she was getting out of her van when she was attacked around 10:30 a.m. Monday. She said she was knocked to the ground, and the dogs bit her along both sides of her body, from her torso to her feet. A 32-year-old Akron man heard the woman screaming and tried to fight off the dogs. He was bit numerous times on the left arm. The dogs then attacked a 38-year-old Akron mail carrier on the back of his left thigh. He sprayed the dogs with pepper spray, and they retreated, running east. He had puncture marks on his pants, but he didn’t believe the dogs bit his leg. The man and woman … [Read more...]
A 63-year-old man has died because of a rare infection traced back to a lick from his dog
A 63-year-old man from Germany has died because of a rare infection traced back to a lick from his dog. “Pet owners with flu-like symptoms should urgently seek medical advice when their symptoms exceed those of a simple viral infection, which in this case were severe dyspnoea and petechiae. The disease contracted by the man, who was admitted to Red Cross Hospital in Bremen, Germany, was due to the bacterium capnocytophaga canimorsus. It’s found most commonly in the mouths of cats and dogs, and is transmitted to humans in rare cases, usually through an animal bite. The most susceptible are those who suffer from immunodeficiency, splenectomy or alcohol abuse, but the report notes that the patient didn’t suffer from those conditions. In this case, the man had also not been bitten. Instead, he was only licked by his pet during the weeks before he was admitted to the hospital. When the man arrived at the Red Cross Hospital, he reported severe symptoms for three days, such as an … [Read more...]