June 03, 2011

Dog Bites Are Preventable!

Did you know that the majority of people bitten by dogs are from the dogs they know and nearly 5 million dog bites happen every year in the United States. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to prevent this from happening that everyone should know. Susan's guests this week are Dr. Bonnie Beaver, DVM, former president of the American Veterinary Medical Association and Kathy Voigt, president of Prevent the Bite a non-profit organization whose mission is to prevent dog bites to children through education. Don't miss this show that will help all of us stay safe, from dog owners, to friendly people that just want to pet that cute dog they meet to the dogs themselves, who can lose their lives from having bitten someone.

Episode Segments:

Wild About Pets: Dr. Bonnie Beaver Dr. Beaver tells us how and why the AVMA has become involved with dog bite prevention education, and has some facts about dog bites that you may not be aware of. She gives tips to avoid being bitten and to keep your dog from biting.
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Wild About Pets: Prevent the Bite’s Kathy Voigt Kathy shares the story of her daughter Kelly, who went from young dog bite victim, to young adult dog bite prevention advocate. Learn about what their organzuation Prevent The Bite is doing to educate kids on how to protect themselves from being bitten. (photo courtesy of Prevent the Bite)
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Links to Related Websites:

AVMA Dog Bite Prevention There are a number of things that you can do to avoid dog bites, ranging from properly training and socializing your pet to educating your children on how, or if, they should approach a dog. Information is one of the best cures for this public health crisis.

Prevent The Bite.com Our mission is to prevent dog bites to children through education

Look While You Listen! Click here to view the photos Susan & her guests are discussing, and for other useful links

Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Kathy Voight Kelly's experience made me realize the potential dangers that children are faced with every day, either at home, at the park, or at their friends' homes. Prevent The Bite was started to help one child come out of a deep depression. It continues because millions of people are bitten by dogs every year in the United States. The majority of victims are children and most of their bites are in the face, head or throat. PTB’s educational program provides children with vital dog safety techniques, a basic understanding of canine body language and responsible dog ownership guidelines. Our goal is to drastically reduce the incidence of dog bites to children while maintaining a safe and happy relationship between children and dogs. Prevent The Bite.com

Bonnie Beaver Dr. Bonnie Beaver, DVM, MS, is a professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University. She is a diplomate and Executive Director of the American College of Animal Behavior. She is a past president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, and chaired the AVMA Task Force on Dog Bite Prevention. AVMA -Dog Bite Prevention Website

Preventing Dog Bites by the American Veterinary Medical Association Kelly Voigt's story and Prevent the Bite