Teaching Safety Around Dogs

Dogs running loose and appearing on school property pose special problems for students. Dog bites, the possibility of contracting rabies, and the serious emotional trauma that frequently accompanies even a small dog bite, are serious reasons for instructing all children on safety around dogs whether at school or at home.

Outlined below are important areas to be stressed in any dog safety program:

Precautions to minimize being bitten

• Never approach a strange dog.
• Don’t try to pet or talk to a strange dog.
• Don’t pet a dog on a leash unless you have the owner’s permission.
• Never tease any dog, particularly not a dog in a fenced yard or a dog that is tied up. Chains can be broken and fences jumped.

What to do if a strange dog is loose

• Ignore the dog if it isn’t running up to you or if you don’t have to go past it.
• Don’t run or yell or do anything that might excite the dog.
• Keep calm and continue walking slowly.

What to do if a strange dog approaches

• Be calm.
• Don’t move.
• Speak quietly to the dog, such as “good dog,” and watch for signs of unfriendliness.
• Don’t stare at the dog.
• If it isn’t showing signs of attack, let it sniff the back of your hand.
• If you can tell the dog won’t bother you, walk slowly and quietly away.

How to recognize an unfriendly dog

• It may bark fiercely or growl.
• You may see its teeth.
• The hair on its neck may be raised.
• Its ears may be back.

What to do if a dog attacks

• Your face and neck are the first parts of your body you should protect.  Fold your arms and put them in front of your face.
• If the dog leaps at you or knocks you down, lie on your stomach immediately and protect your head and neck with your arms.
• It is usually best to remain in this position until help comes.  The dog probably won’t attack any more but may be standing guard over you.

What to do for bite cases

• Flush the wound immediately. Warm, soapy water is preferable, but if clean water isn’t immediately available use a liquid close at hand as the important thing is to wash away the dog’s saliva AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
• Secure medical attention promptly, either from the school physician or a private physician.
• Try to get a description of the dog, including as many of the following points as possible, so it can be located and held for observation: breed, color markings, size, tail (short? Long? Erect?), if it had a collar, or the name of the dog’s owner.
• Report all bite cases to the local police, animal control or health department.

City of Waltham / Community Services Division
Animal Control Officer – Ann Campobasso
781-314-3580
Fax: 781-314-3596