Summer is underway and families are spending more time outdoors. This can increase the chances of an encounter with an unfamiliar dog — whether accompanied by its human or unattended.
Adults may shy away from the canine, but a child’s instinct is usually to run up and pet the dog. This is not always a safe situation.
Not all pets are kid-friendly — and vice versa! It is important to teach children to always ask the owner for permission before approaching an unfamiliar dog. While a dog may not be aggressive, he may bite out of fear if he is startled or made to feel uncomfortable.
A child should never approach a lost or stray dog. In addition, a child should never be left unattended with an animal, even a familiar pet. Young children can be rough and may cause an otherwise friendly pet to bite if he is scared or injured by the child.
It’s not just children who are affected by unrestrained dogs.
Service providers such as mail carriers and package delivery personnel know all too well what it can be like to encounter an unfamiliar or unrestrained dog. Dogs just seem to have a thing for being aggressive toward delivery personnel. Maybe it’s the uniforms — I don’t know.
In fact, Postal Service officials report that in 2023, over 5,800 letter carriers experienced dog bites or dog attacks. These occurrences are preventable when dog owners properly restrain their pets. These situations can also lead to delays in services.
Unrestrained dogs also can pose a danger for the general public and other pets as well.
If a lost or unrestrained dog approaches, use caution, especially if out on a walk with our own pets. The dynamic between a leashed pet and a loose dog can cause tension, and if either animal is aggressive, the situation can quickly escalate into a fight.
Here are some steps to take if one encounters an unaccompanied, unfamiliar dog:
- Stay calm; do not scream or panic.
- Take note of the dog’s body language — is he wagging his tail and bouncy and relaxed or is he hyper-focused and tense?
- Do not make eye contact with the dog but keep in peripheral vision.
- Create distance between yourself and the unfamiliar dog. If walking your dog, pick him up or put him behind you.
- Carry treats to distract dogs.
- Sternly tell the dog to go home.
- Seek shelter.
This is not to say that a lost animal should not be helped; however, safety should be the top priority when approaching a lost animal. If an injured animal is found, it is always best to call for help, since an animal in pain may bite out of fear.
In Orleans and Jefferson parishes, dogs are required by law to be on a leash when off of the owner’s property. To report a stray, roaming or injured dog, contact the Louisiana SPCA at (504) 368-5191 ext. 100. In Jefferson Parish, call Jefferson Protection and Animal Welfare Services at (504) 349-5536.
Pet owners must do their part to keep their pets secure and to keep the area safe for neighbors to enjoy the outdoors and for mail carriers and package delivery services to safely complete their deliveries. It’s not cool to let the (unleashed) dogs out.
Events
JUNE 23: ARNO Adoption Day at Mama’s Place, 1624 Hesiod Drive, Metairie, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meet adorable ARNO dogs, enjoy great food, Tito’s raffles, giveaways and custom Tito’s dog tags. All proceeds will benefit ARNO. For more info: adopt@animalrescueneworleans.org
Traci D. Howerton is the volunteer manager for Animal Rescue New Orleans, a nonprofit, volunteer-based, no-kill shelter. For more information on ARNO, visit www.animalrescueneworleans.org
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