dog bite essay

Essay on Dog Bite

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100 Words Essay on Dog Bite

Understanding dog bites.

Dog bites can be scary incidents, but understanding them can help us prevent them. Dogs usually bite when they feel threatened or scared.

Preventing Dog Bites

Dealing with dog bites.

If bitten, wash the wound with soap and water, apply an antibiotic cream, and cover it with a clean bandage. Seek medical attention if needed. Remember, prevention is better than cure.

250 Words Essay on Dog Bite

Introduction.

Dog bites, a common occurrence globally, pose significant public health and societal challenges. They can result in physical trauma, psychological distress, and in extreme cases, fatality. Understanding the factors contributing to dog bites and implementing preventive measures is critical.

Epidemiology of Dog Bites

Psychological and physical consequences.

Dog bites can lead to severe physical injuries, including puncture wounds, lacerations, and fractures. The psychological impact, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and fear of dogs, can be equally debilitating. Additionally, there is a risk of bacterial infections, including rabies, if the dog is not vaccinated.

Prevention Strategies

Preventing dog bites involves a multifaceted approach, including responsible pet ownership, public education, and legislative measures. Owners should train and socialize their dogs from a young age. The public should be educated on recognizing and avoiding risky dog behaviors. Legislation can enforce responsible dog ownership and penalize negligent owners.

The issue of dog bites is complex, intertwined with factors ranging from the dog’s behavior, societal attitudes towards dogs, and the interaction between humans and dogs. By understanding these factors and implementing comprehensive prevention strategies, we can mitigate the impact of dog bites on public health and society.

500 Words Essay on Dog Bite

Dog bites are a significant public health concern, both in terms of physical and emotional trauma. They can lead to severe injuries, infections, and in rare cases, even death. Understanding the causes, consequences, and prevention strategies for dog bites is crucial to mitigate this issue.

Causes of Dog Bites

Dog bites often occur when a dog feels threatened or provoked. Dogs, like humans, have a fight-or-flight response when they perceive danger. Factors that can trigger this response include fear, pain, territorial behavior, or the urge to protect their owners or pups. It’s essential to understand that any dog, regardless of breed or size, can bite under certain circumstances.

Consequences of Dog Bites

Psychologically, dog bites can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially in children. The trauma can result in a lifelong fear of dogs and other related anxieties. Economically, the cost of medical treatment, litigation, and lost productivity due to dog bites can be substantial.

Preventing dog bites involves a combination of responsible pet ownership, public education, and effective legislation.

Responsible pet ownership includes proper training and socialization of dogs from a young age. It also involves neutering dogs, which can reduce aggressive behavior, and ensuring they are up-to-date on vaccinations.

Legislation can also play a role in prevention. While breed-specific legislation (BSL) has been controversial, laws that enforce responsible pet ownership and penalize negligent owners can be effective.

It’s important to remember that dogs are not inherently dangerous or aggressive. They are often a reflection of their environment and upbringing. By treating them with respect and understanding, we can foster a safer community for both humans and dogs.

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Molly Jakeman 1 ,
James A Oxley 2 ,
Sara C Owczarczak-Garstecka 2 , 3 ,
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0471-2761 Carri Westgarth 2
1 Department of Plastic Surgery , Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust , Liverpool , Merseyside , UK
2 Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Livestock and One Health , University of Liverpool , Liverpool , UK
3 Dogs Trust , London , UK
Correspondence to Dr Carri Westgarth; Carri.Westgarth{at}liverpool.ac.uk

Dog bite injuries are a significant public health problem and many are sustained by children. These injuries can be complex, both physically and psychologically, and in rare cases fatal. This paper will review current evidence-based approaches to treatment, explore identified patterns in biting incidents and discuss the effectiveness of prevention strategies. Safe management of these patients requires a comprehensive approach. Physical injuries need to be accurately assessed with a high index of suspicion for underlying injuries, particularly in younger children less able to communicate. Treatment depends on severity and location, but all bites must be irrigated to reduce the risk of infection but may not always require prophylactic antibiotic use. Careful exploration of the circumstances in which the bite occurred is essential to make safeguarding decisions and prevent future bites. Reducing the incidence of paediatric dog bites requires education of both children and parents that any dog can bite, regardless of breed, and all child–dog interactions must be highly supervised. However, education alone is unlikely to prevent dog bites. Policies that support environmental changes need to be developed such as provision of pet dogs less likely to bite (or bite as severely), through breeding for temperament and appropriate socialisation. Additionally, investment in psychological support for bite victims and their families is required to reduce the long-term impacts of being bitten.

epidemiology
health services research

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https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000726

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Key messages

A thorough history can reveal patterns of injury, highlight safeguarding concerns, guide medical management in addition to informing preventative measures.

The psychological impact of a dog bite on both the child and carer is often overlooked.

The majority of paediatric dog bites occur in the home.

A multidisciplinary approach is required to develop more comprehensive and effective prevention schemes.

Introduction

There are an estimated 700 million dogs worldwide and tens of millions of people are injured by dogs each year. 1 2 There are nine million dogs in the UK with 25% of households owning a domestic dog. 3 Between financial years ending 2014 and 2018, the number of hospital admissions for ‘dog bites and strikes’ (which will now be referred to as ‘dog bites’) rose by 17% to over 8000 per year in England. 4 In the USA, dog bites account for an average of 337 103 emergency visits per year. 5 Low-income countries are estimated to have a higher incidence of bites and resulting fatalities than high-income countries due to the prevalence of rabies and the relative lack of access to appropriate healthcare. 2 This review focuses on the dog bite management and prevention in high-income and middle-income countries, but may also have relevance in other contexts.

Bites from dogs account for nearly 70% of all hospital admissions for mammalian bites costing the NHS an estimated £10 million per year. 6 7 There is significant regional variation in rates of hospitalisation for dog bites. In England, higher rates are seen in more deprived areas (as measured by the Index of Multiple Deprivation), with the highest rate reported in Merseyside (27.0 per 100 000 population). 6 Children are more likely than adults to receive medical attention for these injuries. 8 Those under the age of 9 years are disproportionately affected (17.6 per 100 000 population) and account for two-thirds of admissions among <18 year olds. 6 Specifically, research has identified two age groups of children that are bitten most often: those under the age of 2 years, 9–11 and those aged 9–12. 9 12 The true incidence of dog bites is likely to be underestimated as studies have found that only a third of dog bite victims seek medical treatment and of those that do, not all will receive treatment in a hospital setting and therefore would not be included in the above figures. 13 14 In addition to physical impact, dog bites often carry psychological costs to the victim and their guardians, 15–18 which is understudied.

Physical assessment and management

History and examination.

Paediatric dog bite injuries can be life-threatening or limb-threatening, due to internal organ injury, ischaemic insult or bacterial contamination. 19 Therefore, the initial assessment of a paediatric dog bite victim follows the same approach as that of a trauma patient. 20 Once the patient is stabilised, an in-depth assessment of the dog bite can be performed. An accurate history of the incident can reveal information regarding the pattern of trauma, highlight safeguarding concerns and inform the risk assessment for both tetanus and rabies (if not in a rabies-free area). Accurate and thorough documentation regarding the circumstances of the injury is also essential to aide research in this area, which can inform bite prevention schemes.

Details regarding the circumstance of the bite should be noted by asking for descriptions (rather than interpretations) of the dog and child behaviours before and during the event. Labels based on presumed motivations of dog behaviour such as ‘jealously’ or ‘territorial’ should be avoided. Information regarding dog breed, sex and neuter status, if known, should be collected (however, please see the discussion later for limits of breed-related inference). The general health of the dog should be noted, as painful medical conditions or illness can contribute to aggressive behaviour. 21 Dogs may show pain-induced aggression which may not easily be recognised by the caregiver, highlighting the importance of regular professional veterinary assessments even if the dog is perceived to be healthy. In addition, any previous instances of aggression and nervousness should be enquired about, as a history of aggressive behaviour is a risk factor for future bites. 22 23 In cases where there is a known history of aggressive behaviour, it must be strongly advised that a veterinary surgeon who specialises in behaviour, or other expert behaviourist, should be consulted.

In the paediatric population, identifying safeguarding concerns is essential. The National Institute of Healthcare Excellence (NICE) advises that a dog bite to a child in the context of inadequate supervision should raise suspicion of neglect. 24 However, the understanding of adequate supervision around dogs is not universal and ways of improving caregivers’ supervision skills are unclear (see the Prevention section for a discussion of parental supervision). Therefore, evaluation of the context in which the child was injured, the circumstances in which the child encounters the dog and the history of both dog behaviour and caregivers’ supervision practices will inform the assessment of ongoing risk to the child. This assessment is of particular importance when the dog is owned by the family or is frequently in close proximity to the child.

Knowledge of the circumstances of the injury, in addition to the size of the dog relative to the child, can provide insight into the expected pattern of injury. A ‘snap and release’ mechanism results in puncture-type wounds whereas a ‘grip and retain’ mechanism can lead to a spectrum of injury, from simple lacerations to soft tissue loss, with or without significant structural or internal organ injury. 25 The medical status of the victim should be noted with special attention given to risk factors for developing sepsis, including those who are immunocompromised or asplenic. 26 Evaluation of the injuries should include the anatomical location, type and depth of the wounds. An assessment for underlying structural involvement, including the neurovascular status distal to the injury, should be noted. Wounds should be evaluated for the extent of devitalised tissue, signs of infection or foreign material. Underlying bone fractures have been identified in dog bite cases as frequently as 7.7%. 27 Therefore, plain film radiographs should be performed when an underlying fracture is suspected, when the wound is overlying a joint and to exclude deep radio-opaque foreign bodies, such as teeth. 28 29

Medical interventions

A risk assessment for tetanus and rabies should be performed. At present, the UK is considered a ‘no risk’ country for the contraction of rabies from a dog. 30 However, this status is currently under threat from importation of dogs without valid vaccinations. 31 Bites acquired elsewhere should be risk assessed and where indicated, postexposure treatment administered according to Public Health England (PHE) guidance. 30 PHE advises that wounds with extensive tissue devitalisation or heavy contamination with soil or agricultural material should be considered high risk for tetanus. However, no immediate further treatment for tetanus risk is required in:

Patients aged 11 years and over, who have received an adequate priming course (three doses given 1 month apart) of tetanus vaccine with the last dose within 10 years.

Patients aged 5–10 years who have received priming course and preschool booster.

Patients under 5 years who have received an adequate priming course. 32

These patients should be advised to complete the immunisation schedule as normal. For those with an incomplete vaccination history for their age, tetanus toxoid with or without tetanus immunoglobulin should be administered, according to the assessed level of risk.

NICE recommends antibiotic prophylaxis for puncture wounds, bite injuries to the hands, feet, face or genitalia, immunocompromised patients and those requiring surgery or with an underlying structural injury. 28 Further recommendations include provision of antibiotics for all bite wounds presenting 8 hours or more after injury. 28 However, antibiotic use for wounds presenting after 48 hours with no signs of infection is not indicated due to limited benefit in this context. 25 These recommendations are based largely on expert opinion, with the exception of bites to the hand, which are supported by a Cochrane review. 33 Common pathogens found in infected dog bite wounds include Pasturella , Staphlococcus and Streptococcus species and therefore broad-spectrum antibiotic cover, such as co-amoxiclav, for 1 week is recommended. 28 29 For penicillin-allergic patients under 12 years of age, advice should be sought from a microbiologist. 28 Bites in patients with signs of systemic infection should be managed according to local sepsis protocols, ensuring that wound and blood cultures are taken to help guide antimicrobial therapies.

Wound management

Irrigation of all bite wounds should be performed to help prevent infection. Irrigation under pressure is not recommended due to the risk of spreading bacteria into deeper tissue. 28 There is no evidence to support the use of sterile water over warm tap water, and the latter is recommended for first aid measures. 28 The wound should be encouraged to bleed slightly to aid expelling any foreign material or contaminant. Debridement of all devitalised tissue and removal of any remaining foreign material should be performed. 28

Primary closure of bite wounds is a controversial issue. With adequate irrigation, infection rates for primary closure and non-delayed or delayed closure in simple wounds presenting early are similar. 28 34 In general, wounds presenting 24 hours or later postinjury, those that are clinically infected or puncture wounds without structural injury, should be allowed to heal by secondary intention. 28 Special consideration of primary closure should be given to wounds in cosmetically sensitive areas as this may provide the best aesthetic outcome. 35 Simple lacerations can be closed in the emergency department with local anaesthetic with or without sedation, if local policies allow and the child can tolerate it. However, complex lacerations or children who cannot tolerate intervention under sedation should be referred for debridement and operative repair. Wounds with tissue loss or underlying structural injuries, including fractures, should be referred onto the appropriate surgical team for further management. The need for reconstructive surgery in the form of skin grafts or flaps has been reported in up to 5.1% of cases. 27 Puncture wounds or wounds with signs of localised infection should be given antibiotics and reviewed again within 48 hours. 28 Follow-up for wounds managed operatively depends on the site, size, intervention undertaken and the anticipated risk of infection.

Psychological impacts

The psychological impact of dog bites is often poorly documented and therefore poorly reported. Studies have demonstrated a spectrum of psychological disturbance in children following a dog bite from avoidance behaviours to formal diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 16 Boat et al 15 found that in more than 70% of dog bite cases, parents reported at least one new concerning behaviour. Nearly a third of children demonstrated a new fear or avoidance of dogs and one-fifth experienced nightmares following the incident. Ji et al 16 found an incidence of 5% of PTSD at 3 months postinjury. PTSD symptoms can be varied and range from avoidance behaviours and numbing to increased arousal, hypervigilance and vivid recollections. 36 These distressing symptoms can be experienced in isolation thereby not meeting the criteria for a diagnosis of acute stress disorder (ASD) or PTSD and may go unrecognised. 16

The psychological impact is seen in both children treated in the emergency department and those requiring admission. 16 However, both ASD and PTSD appear to occur more commonly in children who require hospitalisation for their injuries. 16 Further research is required to determine whether this is simply a reflection of the severity of injury or whether inpatient intervention itself is a contributory factor.

The psychological impact can persist for many months following the incident. Peters et al 17 found that in a cohort of 22 children all treated in the emergency department setting, 12 had reported PTSD symptoms for more than 1 month when interviewed at a median interval of 7 months post-injury.

It is also important to note that there is a psychological impact on the carers of paediatric victims. Boat et al 15 found that 85% of parents whose child sustained a dog bite injury reported changes in their own feelings following the incident. Two-thirds reported feelings of guilt and just under half reported feeling angry or fearful for their child’s safety.

Caregivers of a child involved in a traumatic event should be informed of the normal responses to trauma (symptoms such as nightmares, avoidance behaviour, increased behavioural difficulties) and advised to contact their general practitioner if these symptoms persist past 1 month. 37 Given the diverse presentations of psychological disturbance following trauma, in both adults and children, and the complex emotions surrounding seeking help, a more proactive approach to screening and referral for psychological input would seem appropriate. However, this approach is limited by the low quality and limited evidence for early intervention to prevent the development of PTSD. 37

Risk factors and bite circumstances

There is an increasing body of evidence regarding the patterns and potential risk factors of paediatric dog bites which is being used to inform prevention schemes (see box 1 ). However, this is limited due to patient’s failing to seek medical attention and insufficient clinical documentation of the bite circumstances. 10 Children aged <5 are most likely to present with injuries to the head and neck. 5 27 This is thought to be a result of a number of factors including the child’s height and tendency to crawl or play on the floor. 27 In particular, children aged <2 tend to place their face in close proximity to new or moving objects which may trigger a reaction from a dog. 38 Children aged >9 are more likely to sustain injuries to their extremities, presumably due to their increased height and the limbs being the closest point to the animal during a bite. 27 In most studies, boys are often reported to be more frequently bitten than girls, 39–42 but not in all cases. 43

Patterns in paediatric dog bites

Children under the age of 2 years and between the ages of 9 and 12 years are most commonly bitten.

Children under 5 years are more likely to be bitten in the head or neck.

Boys are more likely to be bitten.

Children are most commonly bitten in the home.

The dog is owned by the family in the majority of cases.

Paediatric dog bites tend to occur in the early evening or on the weekend, and are more common in the summer months.

In 70% of dog bite cases, the dog is owned by a family member and children are most commonly bitten in the home. 5 10 Paediatric dog bites are common in the summer months and occur most frequently between 16:00 and 20:00 and on weekends. 5 44 This may reflect times where children are more likely to be around dogs, potentially unsupervised, during food preparation or meal times. 10 44 Reisner et al 45 reported that in 42% of cases where the dog was familiar with the child, the attributed cause for the bite was in response to food guarding. However, it is important to note that bites can occur in a number of contexts and in some cohorts, they most commonly occurred while interacting with the dog, including during play. 13 46–48

Ability to correctly interpret dog behaviour improves with age and children aged <7 struggle to identify fear-related behaviours in dogs. 49 50 However, even when able to correctly identify fear, young children do not know safe behaviours, commonly reporting they would approach fearful dogs, 49 hence physical separation except when very closely supervised is paramount. Dogs with a fearful or nervous predisposition may be more likely to show aggressive behaviour towards children. For example, more than three quarters of dogs involved in bites to children were reported to have a history of fear-related behaviour in other contexts, such as in response to loud noises or separation from their owner. 45 An increase in the number of dog bites at times of thunderstorms has also been reported. 51 However, this may also reflect changes in human behaviour around dogs at this time, such as attempts to comfort the animal.

A systematic review found both limited and conflicting evidence to support specific breed, sex or age of the dog as risk factors for biting. 23 In general, larger dogs may cause more severe injury from a bite compared with small dog due to the relative difference in size, however, research indicates that small dogs are at a higher risk of biting their owners. 22 Identifying a link between bite risk and dog breeds is limited by the accuracy of breed identification by the victim. 52 In addition, the public are more likely to report a breed when they believe they were bitten by a breed listed within the Dangerous Dogs Act (Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro) than other breeds. 52 53 Moreover, heterogeneity of dog breeds involved in bites means that studies are often under-powered to detect statistically significant differences in risk between breeds. 22 The evidence for an effect of neutering on human-directed aggression is conflicting, and further longitudinal research is required to determine the causal direction. 23 However, there is some evidence to suggest that human-directed aggression may have a heritable component, which is a potentially modifiable risk factor and warrants further investigation. 23 54

Dog bite prevention

Dog bites should be regarded as predictable and preventable unintentional injuries, rather than accidents. 55 Unfortunately, perception of dog bites as ‘just one of those things’ promotes a view that nothing can be done to prevent them. 18 Preventing injuries as a result of dog bites is complex due to the number of factors involved (ie, the dog, the child, the environment, the parental supervision and the dog–child interaction). When considering child injury prevention, parent–child supervision and interventions to mitigate the risk of hazards are essential factors to consider. 56

Existing approaches to dog bite prevention

Current dog bite prevention interventions take two forms—environmental management (eg, dog-related legislation) and education. 57 In the UK, nationwide environmental management was implemented in the form of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, after several highly publicised dog attacks. This has been heavily criticised and thought to have had little impact on hospital admissions for dog bite injuries. 4 53 In contrast, the City of Calgary, Canada, has seen a reduction in the frequency of dog bites frequency following the introduction of a compulsory dog licensing scheme and an introduction of subsidised dog training classes. 58

Prevention through education

Most research in dog bite prevention is focused on prevention and safety education schemes aimed at children and caregivers. Recent research analysing online video content of dog bite incidents has identified that prior to a bite, dogs express anticipatory behavioural signals in accordance with the canine ladder of aggression approximately 20 s before a bite occurs, suggesting that there is some scope for intervention. 48 59

Education interventions are available in many forms including books, websites, primary school teaching resources and posters. In the UK, there is currently a range of schemes that use knowledge of dog behaviour and identified risk factors to inform children and parents of safe behaviour around dogs, such as:

The Blue Dog Scheme ( https://www.thebluedog.org/en/ ).

Be Dog Smart (Dogs Trust) ( https://www.learnwithdogstrust.ie/be-dog-smart/ ).

Be Safe with Dogs (Blue Cross) ( https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/be-safe-dogs ).

The Safe and Sound Scheme (The Kennel Club) ( https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/training/safe-and-sound/ ).

Of the limited research conducted on the effectiveness of dog bite prevention schemes (see review by Shen et al ), 57 , 57 there is evidence to support that educational schemes have the potential to increase knowledge of safe behaviours around a dog in the short term. 60 However, they do not appear sufficient to change the behaviour of children in the presence of a real dog or the behaviour of parents in the presence of a dog not known to them. 60 61 This is unsurprising given the known poor effectiveness of ‘educational’ approaches to injury prevention, 62 63 which are often chosen due to a tendency to blame the victim for doing something wrong, 64 as also perceived in dog bites. 18 Even with knowledge, it is very hard for people to change their behaviour, and people will always make mistakes. 60 65 Further research is required to determine the most effective method for knowledge acquisition, retention and resulting behavioural changes, for all ages. Furthermore, there needs to be closer collaboration between medics, vets and public health professions to develop more cohesive and comprehensive educational programmes for dog owners, children and their parents. 66

Prevention through supervision

Close supervision of child–dog interactions by an adult who is both in close proximity and has been educated to interpret dog body language appropriately has a potential to prevent bites. 58 However, a general lack of understanding that any dog can react aggressively towards any human under particular circumstances, hinders bite prevention. Compared with dog behaviour experts, dog-owning caregivers without expert knowledge of dog behaviour permit more high-risk interactions between children and both familiar and unfamiliar dogs (such as laying down in a dog’s bed or taking a dog’s bone away) and assess the risk of interactions as lower. 46 The perception that one is not at risk around a familiar dog could help to explain why over 50% of caregivers leave children unattended around family dogs at least for a short period of time. 46 Research into daily interactions between dogs and children under the age of 6 years revealed that most injuries occur in contexts other than agnostic aggression, such as when a child tried to give a dog a treat or while playing fetch. 67 As most prevention programmes focus on recognising stress-related behaviours in dogs, 59 caregivers may not be aware of the context in which supervision of children around dogs is required. In addition, caregivers’ exposure to an educational intervention aimed at preventing bites to children had no impact on their supervision behaviour. 61 This suggests that caregivers’ education into dog’s body language should be supplemented with a campaign addressing both perceptions of contexts in which bites to children occur and commonly held views that ‘a bite wouldn’t happen to me’ or ‘my dog wouldn’t bite’. 18

Prevention through environmental modification

Given the difficulties in education and active supervision, bite prevention should include the promotion of environmental safety measures within the home. Compared with experts, caregivers rely on fewer methods of bite prevention and rarely use environmental controls. 46 Environmental controls are less subject to human error and particularly useful in situations where strict supervision of the dog is difficult. Installation of baby gates and outside letterboxes, in addition to dog management, such as ensuring a dog cannot escape a property during visits by placing it in the back garden or a separate room, are potentially effective but underused approaches to preventing bites. 57

Additionally, modification of dogs acquired by families, through socialisation, training and breeding of dogs less likely to bite (or cause serious damage when they do bite) should also be considered. Education of breeders and owners of the influence of biological inheritance, early-life experience and socialisation on human-directed aggression is important. 23 68 Social fearfulness has been associated with inadequate socialisation during puppyhood and inactivity in both training and play activities. 69 70 Research suggests that small breeds are less often socialised and trained and are therefore more fearful of both strangers and other dogs compared with larger dogs, potentially increasing the risk of bites. 69 70

Although dog bites most often occur in the owner’s home, it is important to highlight that bites also occur within public areas. 13 Prevention efforts must therefore extend to these spaces and consider additional factors such as dog on dog aggression which may also result in injury to humans. 13 One strategy that has been used in North America is the implementation of ‘leash laws’ mandating owners to keep their dog on a lead within specific areas (see Rahim et al ). 71 In a cross-sectional survey of small animal veterinarians in the US, 79.9% endorsed stricter leash laws as a method to improve public safety compared with 6.1% for muzzling specific dog breeds in public. 72 However, similar to dog fouling, the enforcement of dog leash laws is likely to be difficult, and also may have repercussions in terms of motivation for health-promoting physical activity in owners. 73 Furthermore, public education of the appropriate behaviour of a child around an unfamiliar dog encountered in a public space is also essential, as they can still approach an on-leash dog. There is a lack of evidence of the efficacy of prevention strategies within public spaces and further research is needed.

Reducing bite impact and future incidents

Although bites should be regarded as preventable injuries, mistakes will happen and therefore education should extend to what a child and caregiver should do during a dog bite incident in order to reduce injury severity, in addition to post-bite action such as psychological support. 74 75 Following a bite, the owner should be helped to identify why the bite occurred, especially if a dog has not previously displayed aggressive behaviour. 45 76 It is important that professional advice is given to the owner (from an expert animal behaviourist or veterinary surgeon with experience in dog behaviour) to ensure the dog can be safely managed. If the child is only exposed to the dog for short periods (as a visitor), or while the behaviours of a dog and the underlying reasons for it are being addressed, other context-specific risk management options include implementation of environmental barriers (such as baby gates) and pet training (such as crate or muzzle training). Ultimately, in cases where dog welfare is compromised and sufficient behaviour modification alongside risk management is not possible, rehoming of the animal (either temporarily, to allow time for the owner to reflect and consider the options available, or permanently) to a household that is able to manage the dog’s behaviour may be considered (eg, if the aggression is focused on children, rehoming to an adult-only household may be feasible). In severe cases where an ongoing threat is posed, euthanasia should be considered. 77

For parents considering introducing a dog into the home, there is a lack of robust evidence to help predict which breed or gender of dog is less likely to bite. 23 Each dog should be considered on an individual basis with consideration given to temperament of the parents, previous socialisation, training and episodes of human-directed aggression. Parents should consider their home and how the dog would be managed alongside their children within that environment. In addition, they should consider the compatibility of their lifestyle with the potential requirements to promote the well-being of the dog (considering breed), including adequate training, and exercise.

There are many factors to consider when treating children with dog bite injuries. The psychological impact of these injuries for both the child and parent can be significant and is likely to be under-recognised. A multidisciplinary approach is required to both treat these patients and prevent bites from occurring in the first place.

Acknowledgments

The author James A. Oxley’s PhD studentship is funded by Dogs Trust. The author Sara C. Owczarczak-Garstecka is currently employed by Dogs Trust as a Research Officer, and her past PhD studentship was part-funded by Dogs Trust.

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Contributors CW conceptualised the paper. MJ, JAO, SCO-G conducted the first draft. All authors commented on and revised the paper. CW submitted the paper.

Funding The author James A. Oxley’s PhD studentship is currently funded by Dogs Trust.

Competing interests The author JAO’s studentship is funded by Dogs Trust. The author SCO-G is currently employed by Dogs Trust as a Research Officer, and her past PhD studentship was part-funded by Dogs Trust. CW, SCO-G and JAO are members of the Merseyside Dog Safety Partnership, which has a website containing useful resources for dog bite prevention. www.merseydogsafe.co.uk .

Patient consent for publication Not required.

Provenance and peer review Commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

Data availability statement Data sharing not applicable as no datasets generated and/or analysed for this study. This is a review article and no datasets were generated or analysed for the study.

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Dog Bites: Statistics and Treatment

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Published: Mar 1, 2019

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The skin damage
Injury to underlying tissues such as muscle, nerve and bone

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Pre-Hospital Care
Bites and Stings

Understanding Dog Bites: The Important Role of Human Behavior

Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 24(2):1-16

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Dog Bite Injury

Dog bite injuries are a prevalent yet often overlooked public health concern, causing physical and emotional trauma to victims across the globe. Each year, millions of people suffer from dog bites, with a significant portion requiring medical attention and even hospitalization. Understanding the causes, consequences, and preventive measures associated with dog bite injuries is crucial for promoting safety and minimizing the risk of such incidents.

One of the primary factors contributing to dog bite injuries is a lack of proper training and socialization for both dogs and owners. Dogs that are not adequately trained or socialized may exhibit aggressive behavior, increasing the likelihood of biting. Additionally, irresponsible ownership practices, such as neglecting to properly restrain or supervise dogs, can also lead to dangerous situations where bites occur. Therefore, promoting responsible dog ownership through education and enforcement of leash laws and other regulations is essential for reducing the incidence of dog bite injuries.

Furthermore, certain environmental factors can also influence the likelihood of dog bite incidents. For example, overcrowded urban areas with limited green spaces may lead to increased stress and frustration among dogs, potentially resulting in aggressive behavior. Additionally, socioeconomic factors such as poverty and lack of access to veterinary care may contribute to higher rates of uncontrolled and unvaccinated dog populations, posing a greater risk of bites to humans.

In addition to physical injuries, dog bite incidents can have significant psychological consequences for victims, particularly children. Fear of dogs and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common outcomes, which can impact a person's quality of life and overall well-being. Therefore, comprehensive support services, including counseling and therapy, should be readily available to help individuals cope with the emotional aftermath of a dog bite injury.

In conclusion, dog bite injuries represent a serious public health issue with far-reaching consequences for both individuals and communities. By addressing the root causes of these incidents through education, responsible ownership practices, and environmental interventions, we can work towards creating safer environments for both humans and animals alike. Additionally, providing appropriate support services for victims is essential for facilitating their recovery and promoting overall healing. Through collaborative efforts and proactive measures, we can reduce the incidence of dog bite injuries and create healthier, more harmonious relationships between humans and dogs.

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72 Dog Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

To find good research titles for your essay about dogs, you can look through science articles or trending pet blogs on the internet. Alternatively, you can check out this list of creative research topics about dogs compiled by our experts .

🐩 Dog Essays: Things to Consider

🏆 best dog titles for essays, 💡 most interesting dog topics to write about, ❓ questions about dog.

There are many different dog essays you can write, as mankind’s history with its best friends is rich and varied. Many people will name the creatures their favorite animals, citing their endearing and inspiring qualities such as loyalty, obedience, bravery, and others.

Others will discuss dog training and the variety of important roles the animals fulfill in our everyday life, working as shepherds, police members, guides to blind people, and more.

Some people will be more interested in dog breeding and the incredible variety of the animals show, ranging from decorative, small Yorkshire terriers to gigantic yet peaceful Newfoundland dogs. All of these topics are interesting and deserve covering, and you can incorporate all of them a general essay.

Dogs are excellent pet animals, as their popularity, rivaled only by cats, shows. Pack animals by nature, they are open to including members of other species into their groups and get along well with most people and animals.

They are loyal to the pack, and there are examples of dogs adopting orphaned kittens and saving other animals and children from harm.

This loyalty and readiness to face danger makes them favorite animals for many people, and the hundreds of millions of dogs worldwide show that humans appreciate their canine friends.

It also allows them to work many important jobs, guarding objects, saving people, and using their noses to sniff out various trails and substances.

However, dogs are descended from wolves, whose pack nature does not prevent them from attacking those outside the group. Some larger dogs are capable of killing an adult human alone, and most can at least inflict severe harm if they attack a child.

Dogs are trusted and loved because of their excellent trainability. They can be taught to be calm and avoid aggression or only attack once the order is given.

They can also learn a variety of other behaviors and tricks, such as not relieving themselves in the house and executing complex routines. This physical and mental capacity to perform a variety of tasks marks dogs as humanity’s best and most versatile helpers.

The variety of jobs dogs perform has led humans to try to develop distinct dog breeds for each occupation, which led to the emergence of numerous and different varieties of the same animal.

The observation of the evolution of a specific type of dog as time progressed and its purposes changed can be an interesting topic. You can also discuss dog competitions, which try to find the best dog based on various criteria and even have titles for the winners.

Comparisons between different varieties of the animal are also excellent dog argumentative essay topics. Overall, there are many interesting ideas that you can use to write a unique and excellent essay.

Regardless of what you ultimately choose to write about, you should adhere to the central points of essay writing. Make sure to describe sections of your paper with dog essay titles that identify what you will be talking about clearly.

Write an introduction that identifies the topic and provides a clear and concise thesis statement. Finish the paper with a dog essay conclusion that sums up your principal points. It will be easier and more interesting to read while also adhering to literature standards if you do this.

Below, we have provided a collection of great ideas that you can use when writing your essays, research papers, speeches, or dissertations. Take inspiration from our list of dog topics, and don’t forget to check out the samples written by other students!

An Adventure with My Pet Pit-Bull Dog “Tiger” One look at Tiger and I knew that we were not going to leave the hapless couple to the mercies of the scary man.
Dogs Playing Poker The use of dogs in the painting is humorous in that the writer showed them doing human things and it was used to attract the attention of the viewer to the picture.
The Benefits of a Protection Dog Regardless of the fact that protection dogs are animals that can hurt people, they are loving and supportive family members that provide their owners with a wide range of benefits.
How to Conduct the Dog Training Properly At the same time, it is possible to work with the dog and train it to perform certain actions necessary for the owner. In the process of training, the trainer influences the behavior of the […]
“Dog’s Life” by Charlie Chaplin Film Analysis In this film, the producer has used the comic effect to elaborate on the message he intends to deliver to the audience. The function of a dog is to serve the master.
Cesar Millan as a Famous Dog Behaviorist Millan earned the nickname “the dog boy” because of his natural ability to interact with dogs. Consequently, the dog behaviorist became a celebrity in different parts of the country.
Debates on Whether Dog is the Best Pet or not The relationships between dogs and man have been improving over the years and this has made dogs to be the most preferable pets in the world. Other pets have limited abilities and can not match […]
Breed Specific Legislation: Dog Attacks As a result, the individuals that own several canines of the “banned” breeds are to pay a lot of money to keep their dogs.
Cats vs. Dogs: Are You a Cat or a Dog Person? Cats and dogs are two of the most common types of pets, and preferring one to another can arguably tell many things about a person.
Dog Food: Pedigree Company’s Case The attractiveness of the dog food category is manifested through the intense competitive nature of the various stakeholders. The third and final phase of the segmentation is to label the category of dog food as […]
Border Collie Dog Breed Information So long as the movement of the Border Collies and the sheep is calm and steady, they can look for the stock as they graze in the field.
“Love That Dog” Verse Novel by Sharon Creech In this part of the play, it is clear that Jack is not ready to hide his feelings and is happy to share them with someone who, in his opinion, can understand him.
“Marley: A Dog Like No Other” by John Grogan John Grogan’s international bestseller “Marley: A Dog Like No Other” is suited for children of all ages, and it tells the story of a young puppy, Marley, who quickly develops a big personality, boundless energy, […]
Dog Training Techniques Step by Step The first step that will be taken in order to establish the performance of this trick is showing the newspaper to the dog, introducing the desired object and the term “take”.
The Great Pyrenees Dog Breed as a Pet In the folklore of the French Pyrenees, there is a touching legend about the origin of the breed. The dog will not obey a person of weak character and nervous.
Dog Food by Subscription: Service Design Project For the convenience and safety of customers and their dogs, customer support in the form of a call center and online chat is available.
Compare and Contrast Your First Dog vs. Your Current Dog Although she was very friendly and even tried to take care of me when I was growing up, my mother was the real owner.
“Everyday” in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Haddon The novel presents Christopher who passes through many changes in his life, where he adapts to it and acclimatizes the complications that come with it.
A Dog’s Life by Charles Chaplin The theme of friendship and love that is clear in the relationship between Tramp and Scraps. The main being that Chaplin makes it very comical thus; it is appealing to the audience, and captures the […]
What Dog Are You? All of them possess individual traits that have to suit the profile and character of the owner for them to create a harmonious and beneficial union and to feel comfortable together first of all, every […]
Why Does Your Dog Pretend to Like You? Children and the older generation can truly cherish and in the case of children can develop as individuals with the help of dogs.
Caring for a Dog With Arthritis For Monty, the dog under study, the size, and disposition of the dog, the stage of the disease as also its specific symptoms and behaviour need to be observed and then a suitable choice of […]
Animal Cruelty: Inside the Dog Fighting In most cases the owner of the losing dog abandons the injured dog to die slowly from the injuries it obtained during the fight. The injuries inflicted to and obtained by the dogs participating in […]
Dog House: Business Law Today Based on the definition of a shareholder’s derivative suit, it is possible to say that corporations can be expected to benefit from this type of litigation.
“Traditional” Practice Exception in Dog Act One of those who wanted the word to remain in the clause was the president of the Beaufort Delta Dog Mushers and also an Inuvik welder.Mr.
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Dogs are mauling and killing more people. What to do about it pits neighbor against neighbor

Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version of this story misattributed a white paper about breed-specific legislation from the American Dog Breeders Association and other groups.

Anxiety still overtakes Santina Pado whenever a dog is not on a leash. Her phone’s heart monitor signaled a possible cardiac arrest on a family vacation last year when she saw one leaped to greet a woman standing next to her.

The moment brought back the sheer terror of being attacked by a pack of dogs on her daily stroll in rural Fayette City, Pennsylvania. A brindle boxer and four others leaped at her, teeth gnashing, and ravaged her arms, back, and leg. She collapsed, screaming, and suffered a heart attack.

"This is it," she thought. "This is the last day I'm going to have on this earth."

A passerby jumped out of his car and fired a gun into the air, scaring the dogs away. Pado later learned two of them had bitten people before. Yet their owner allowed them to run loose.

More and more in recent years, dogs have bitten , mauled and killed in America. Just in the past two weeks, a husky killed a newborn baby in Tennessee, and an 83-year-old man died in the jaws of unleashed dogs in Alabama.

In the past decade, the number of fatal dog attacks more than doubled , from an average of roughly 40 a year to nearly 100 after the pandemic hit, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of bites each year has also increased, experts say, from the most recent estimate 20 years ago of 4.5 million to untold millions today.

But how to stem the growing numbers of canine attacks is sharply divisive, pitting neighbor against neighbor, and advocates against condo boards, local councils and state governments. Some have passed leash laws or bans on certain breeds. A dozen states require that dogs have computer chips implanted with a record of any past aggression.

Some say dogs that attack or exhibit signs of acute aggression should be euthanized. Others say they can be rehabilitated and deserve the chance at happy lives, and that breed-specific bans are discriminatory, disproportionately impacting the poor and people of color.

Still, advocates and experts say the status quo is not enough and more must be done to save lives, particularly as millions more households took in pets since the pandemic – some 23 million by one estimate .

"You see how crazy this has gotten," Colleen Lynn, founder and president of DogsBite.org , a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing serious dog attacks. "It's happening more and more."

Lynn says it's time for the government to step in and force better dog management. "Management means everything," she said. "It means training, it means euthanasia if you can't handle it."

Dog bites and fatal attacks can be 'completely unprovoked'

The details are crushing.

A 4-year-old riding his bike was slain by a family friend's bulldog in Alabama. A man in Los Angeles was fatally attacked by his own pit bulls. A stay-at-home mother in Georgia was mauled to death in her yard as she tried to save her children from a pack of dogs.

A 3-month-old baby was killed by the family dog in New Jersey, and two weeks ago, a six-week-old was killed as he napped in his crib in Knoxville, Tennessee. Parents Chloe and Mark Mansoor decided to donate little Ezra's organs and speak out on local TV to warn others.

"To just bring awareness that it could be any dog at any time – completely unprovoked," Chloe Mansoor told WVLT. "No matter what the history is."

The tragic toll in 2024 just keeps climbing.

Jim Crosby, a research associate at Harvard University's Canine Aggression Project who tracks dog bite-related fatalities, said there's no way to tell how many dog bites happen each year in the United States. Emergency room visits due to dog bites decreased from almost 363,000 in 2012 to 317,000 in 2021, according to CDC estimates. But getting an overall bite total would require piecing together those estimates from hospital records with health department and industry records, including insurance data.

"None of those databases talk to each other," he said. "So, there's a huge issue with getting decent numbers and there's an even bigger issue with reporting."

Crosby and others who track dog attacks believe they have increased along with the boom in dog ownership during the pandemic. Even before the pandemic, the number of dogs in the U.S. shot up by at least 6.9 million from 2016 to 2020, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association .

Crosby believes other factors are also fueling the spike in attacks. He said dogs raised during the pandemic missed out on crucial socialization and interaction with other dogs as they holed up with their owners during extended lockdowns. Once their owners returned to office jobs, the dogs were left alone at home, further depriving them of social contact.

"We have been seeing a lot more problem behavior cases from the dogs that have come up and were adopted during the period of COVID," Crosby said.

He and Mike Shikashio, a dog aggression expert and certified dog behavior consultant, noted that increased demand for dogs in recent years may have upped the pressure on dog suppliers.

"Some of the shelters were adopting out dogs that maybe shouldn't have been adopted out," Shikashio said.

Crosby said with stretched resources, few shelters have the capacity to work intensively with individual animals over weeks to rehabilitate them, he said, and in some cases putting them down may have been better than adopting them out.

"Nobody wants to see animals needlessly killed, but there's also the public safety question," Crosby said.

Attack 6-week-old baby fatally mauled in crib by family dog in Tennessee

More: Philadelphia officer shot, killed 2 dogs that attacked young woman breaking up dog fight

Julie Castle, CEO of the Best Friends Animal Society, says society needs to do better and provide whatever resources are necessary.

"Why, as the wealthiest country in the world, are we talking about how to best kill our best friends rather than how to best save our best friends?" she said.

Castle said giving dogs "the right environment and the right routine" could produce "incredible improvement" in aggressive dog behavior.

Lawmakers turn to 'dangerous dog' legislation

The white scars that run from Kathleen Culpepper's elbow to her wrist are a permanent reminder of the day she was rushed to emergency surgery after her landlady's dogs mauled her in her front yard in Virginia.

A neighbor scared them away before they killed her, but not before they ripped her arm apart. In the ambulance, emergency medics couldn't start an IV because Culpepper's vein collapsed. Making the arm usable required two operations.

"It just was ugly," she said. "The guy just patched me together to hold the skin on."

The dogs had bitten her before, landing her in the emergency room. This time they were euthanized.

Virginia is one of a vast majority of states – 42 and the District of Columbia – that have "dangerous dog" laws on the books, according to the Animal Legal and Historical Center at Michigan State University's College of Law .

It's also one of a handful of states, including New Jersey and Louisiana, that require all dogs deemed "vicious" by a court to be euthanized. Culpepper never pursued a court order after the first bite – she was scared her living situation would be jeopardized and she couldn't afford to move.

In almost all cases, a fatal dog attack is "going to result in the dog being killed," said David Favre, a professor at the college and editor-in-chief of the Animal Law Web Center.

If a dog is legally found to have a propensity for violence, "then you'll be able to keep the dog only so long as you abide by a set of conditions for protection of the public," Favre said. Those conditions range from muzzling a dog to barring a minor from owning it.

In at least 12 states and the District of Columbia, dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs must have a microchip implanted or, in some cases, be tattooed. Both Virginia and Pennsylvania maintain registries of dangerous dogs.

"The idea is that you're trying to prevent future harm," Favre said.

What will stem the number of dog attacks?

Florida is considering a measure named after a postal worker killed by five dogs in 2022, Pamela Jane Rock . It would force the registration of dangerous dogs, require owners to have liability insurance , and mandate the "destruction" of repeat-offending dogs.

Dog attacks on postal workers shot up to more than 5,800 cases last year, according to figures released last week by the U.S. Postal Service . That's 500 more than in 2022 .

Lynn, president of the dog attack-reduction group DogsBite.org, wants more laws requiring shelters to disclose dogs' aggression records.

"So many people in the public don't even understand that they are getting a dog with a bite history when they go to a shelter, period," she said. "So, mandatory bite disclosure is a way that they can't get away with that anymore."

She and others say instituting bans and restrictions on dog breeds deemed more dangerous is another solution. DogsBite.org singles out "dangerous dog breeds, chiefly pit bulls," and says cities and counties in at least 14 states that implemented laws regulating dog breeds reduced dog attacks or dog bites.

Proponents of breed-specific legislation point to studies like one from 2019 that concluded bites from pit bulls are "more frequent and severe."

But opponents say such measures can come with a litany of problems. Jessica Simpson, senior public policy specialist for the Humane Society, said pit bulls are "a broad categorization of an animal and not a particular breed of dog" and are typically identified by appearance, which can be misleading. She said singling them out can contribute to housing instability for their owners and also discourage owners from getting help or training for fear their dogs will be seized.

"It's costly to enforce because people bring lawsuits, civil suits against this stuff and then obviously, it impacts resources," she said.

Advocacy organizations, including The Humane Society, and some legal scholars, say breed-specific legislation can be racist.

Ann Linder, an associate director of the Animal Law & Policy Program at Harvard Law School, concluded: "pit bulls were perceived as most commonly belonging to people of color – specifically, young, Black males." A white paper published in 2020 from the American Dog Breeders Association and other groups said banning or restricting them, including through homeowner insurance exclusions , can effectively be a form of "redlining," discriminatory practices that have kept people of color from moving into white and wealthy neighborhoods.

A study of Denver's pit bull ban, in place for more than 30 years, also found enforcement primarily targeted the city's most vulnerable areas and communities of color – particularly where "racially diverse communities intersect with predominantly white neighborhoods."

The Humane Society advocates for replacing the laws with dangerous dog laws. Simpson said at least 21 states have banned breed-specific legislation .

Dog attack survivors face steep medical bills, crippling anxiety

After racking up $12,000 in medical bills and two years of healing, including six months of physical therapy, the lingering effects of the dog attack on Pado's daily life in Pennsylvania now are mostly psychological.

Even though the dogs that bit Pado had attacked others before, euthanasia is mandated in Pennsylvania only after a dog kills someone, or a dog previously ruled "dangerous" causes severe injuries or its owner repeatedly fails to register, insure or microchip it.

In October, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a law trying to discourage people from harboring dangerous dogs by doubling registration fees for them to $1,000 and jacking up fines for unlicensed dogs to as much as $500.

The dogs that attacked Pado during her walk in 2022 were put down afterward. She is still trying to return to her daily routine of walking a 3.5-mile loop every day. She recalled trying last year, setting off on the rural trail once again.

"I thought, I'm not going to let these animals stop me from doing stuff that I like."

But a mile in, anxiety overtook her. She called her husband to pick her up.

"That's my challenge, to see if I can do it," she said. "So far I haven't been able to do that."

Cybele Mayes-Osterman is a breaking news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her by email at [email protected]. Follow her on X @CybeleMO.

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Trop Med Infect Dis

Community Awareness on Rabies Prevention and Control in Bicol, Philippines: Pre- and Post-Project Implementation

Toni rose m. barroga.

1 Bureau of Animal Industry-World Organisation for Animal Health Stop Transboundary Animal Diseases and Zoonoses Rabies Project, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1100, Philippines

Ilene S. Basitan

2 College of Veterinary Medicine, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Pili, Camarines Sur 4418, Philippines; [email protected]

Themis M. Lobete

3 Municipal Agriculture Office, Municipal Government of Daraga, Daraga, Albay 4501, Philippines; moc.liamg@tbolsimeht

Rona P. Bernales

4 Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office V, Pili, Camarines Sur 4418, Philippines; moc.oohay@selanreb_anor

Mary Joy N. Gordoncillo

5 World Organisation for Animal Health Sub Regional Representation for Southeast Asia, Phaya Thai Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; moc.liamg@ollicnodrogm (M.J.N.G.); [email protected] (R.C.A.)

6 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN-FAO), Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP), Phra Atit Road, Phra Nakorn, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

Emelinda L. Lopez

7 Animal Health and Welfare Division, Bureau of Animal Industry, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1100, Philippines; moc.oohay@21einnim_cod

Ronello C. Abila

Rabies is endemic in the Philippines. To support the rabies campaign in the Bicol region at the southeastern part of Luzon, the BAI-OIE Stop Transboundary Animal Diseases and Zoonoses (STANDZ) Rabies project was implemented in the pilot provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, and Masbate. A community awareness survey was conducted with the residents of these provinces to determine their knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) on rabies during the start and end of the project. Qualitative, descriptive research was done with a structured KAP questionnaire. Pet owners in the pilot provinces were chosen as respondents. Results showed that respondents know that they can acquire rabies in animals through the bite of a rabid dog (pre-project implementation (PRI): 19.6%, post-project implementation (POI): 38.0%). Vaccination was the top rabies preventive measure (PRI: 61.8%, POI: 92.8%). Biting incidents were noted in some respondents, and observing the dog and killing it immediately were some of the actions taken by bite victims. If a supposed rabid dog was seen, respondents would either: immediately kill the dog (PRI: 20.3%, POI: 13.7%), report it to authorities (PRI: 26.3%, POI: 63.1%), and capture and observe the dog concerned (PRI: 13.5%, POI: 6.0%). Pet owners increased their KAP about rabies prevention and control as compared to the pre-implementation study. However, certain gaps in their KAP need to be given attention; thus continuous education of pet owners must be done.

1. Introduction

Rabies is considered a neglected tropical disease and is responsible for claiming the lives of 59,000 humans annually, mainly in developing countries of Asia and Africa [ 1 ]. Once clinical symptoms appear, death is inevitable; however, with timely post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after exposure to a rabid animal, the disease is preventable [ 2 ]. Globally, ninety percent of all rabies-related human deaths are due to dog bites; thus, the conduct of mass dog vaccination (MDV) is seen as the most cost-effective measure in controlling rabies at its source [ 3 , 4 , 5 ].

In the Philippines, rabies remains endemic with 200–300 human fatalities annually (an average of 2.13 deaths per million) and 635 animal rabies cases (an average of 6.35 rabid dogs per 100,000) since 2012 [ 6 ]. In an effort to reduce the impact and ultimately eliminate this disease in humans, the Philippine government has strengthened eradication programs directed towards its source in dogs. Through the passage of the Republic Act No. 9482, otherwise known as the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, provinces, cities, and municipalities are mandated by this law to ensure that all dogs are properly vaccinated and registered. This also includes strengthening rabies diagnostic laboratories and surveillance, the provision of additional post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for animal bite patients, and promoting responsible pet ownership (RPO) [ 7 ].

Financial provision to facilitate these activities is a crucial factor in program implementation. In many developing countries, rabies control programs are not a high priority on the government’s agenda. The delineation of responsibility and budget allocation between ministries of agriculture and health seems to be unclear [ 8 ]. Furthermore, this disease is considered less important in the agriculture sector compared to other livestock diseases of poultry and swine, which have a greater impact on the economy and food security.

A critical component of a successful rabies program is a community that is well-educated on the risk factors associated with, and the control of, rabies [ 4 ]. The lack of effective health education programs results in poor awareness of the community on the disease’s situation [ 9 ] and incorrect practices towards wound management is likely possible during biting incidents. Most households in rural areas would consult traditional faith healers and apply homemade remedies for bite wounds rather than seeking the help of medical professionals [ 10 ]. Whilst not all bites are associated with rabies, people need to be properly educated on the correct first aid to be adopted, such as simple washing of bite wounds with soap, as this can be a decisive factor in preventing rabies deaths [ 11 ].

In September 2014, several provinces in Bicol were selected to be pilot areas for an internationally-funded project for rabies elimination. Through the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), with funding support from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Stop Transboundary Animal Diseases and Zoonoses (STANDZ) initiative, together with Philippines’ Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI), an agreement was made to support rabies elimination in two priority areas, Masbate and Albay, as well as to provide vaccination support to Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur. From September 2014 to June 2017, the OIE STANDZ Rabies Project provided technical support for aligning the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program (NRPCP) with international standards, provided vaccines from the OIE Bank, conducted capacity building for new vaccinators, supported rabies information dissemination campaigns, and conducted multi-sectoral meetings, among others.

Rabies awareness in the community is very important in creating effective control measures in the Philippines; however, very little information has been published about this. The conduct of the KAP survey provided additional information to the implementers on which areas of the Rabies program should be improved (knowledge on rabies, vaccination and responsible pet ownership, wound bite management, and prevention and control) based on the pet owners’ response. This study aimed to compare and assess the general knowledge, determine the attitude, and identify the practices of respondents on rabies and its related issues, including biting incidents and RPO, during the pre-implementation (PRI) and post-implementation (POI) stages of the OIE STANDZ Rabies Project in its pilot areas.

2.1. Study Area

A community-based study was conducted by the OIE STANDZ Rabies Project in pilot areas of Camarines Norte (2320.07 sq. km, 14°8′20.5′′ N 122°45′47.89′′ E), Camarines Sur (5497.03 sq. km, 13.5250° N, 123.3486° E), Albay (2575.77 sq. km, 13.1775° N, 123.5280° E), and Masbate (4151.78 sq. km, 12.3060° N, 123.5589° E). The study was conducted in two periods, namely: April to May 2015 (PRI) and February to April 2017 (POI).

2.2. Study Design and Sample Size

A quantitative descriptive method was employed in this study to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of pet owners concerning rabies, including dog bites. In every village in a municipality, respondents were selected, depending on the presence of pets in their household. The same set of municipalities was involved in both PRI and POI studies but not necessarily the same set of pet owners. Municipalities chosen were either 3rd- or 4th-class municipalities. Each district in a province was represented by at least two municipalities. A total of 1088 respondents was included in the PRI study and 1380 in the POI. The study was limited to dog owners of the four provinces aforementioned, since dogs are the primary reservoir host of rabies in the country. Figure 1 shows the map of the four pilot provinces in this study.

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Object name is tropicalmed-03-00016-g001.jpg

Map showing the four pilot provinces included in the OIE STANDZ Rabies Project. Inset showing the cities/municipalities included in the community awareness survey.

2.3. Data Collection and Analysis

With coordination from the City Veterinary/Municipal Agriculture Office (CVO/MAO), researchers were accompanied by a staff member from the mentioned offices. Personal interviews were carried out using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed in English but translated to Tagalog (national language) or Bikolano (local dialect) to ensure good comprehension of the questions. One adult in each household was selected to be a respondent in the study. Respondents were briefed before the start of the interview about the purpose of the study. The questionnaire included items regarding the respondent’s profile, vaccination history of their dog/s, the presence of biting incidents and first aid adopted, and other general questions regarding rabies, including its transmission and symptoms. The data were collated in Microsoft Excel and presented using descriptive statistics. Frequency and percentages were used for analysis, including PRI and POI percentages. A statistical analysis using Statistical Analysis System (SAS) was performed to compare the PRI and POI proportions.

3.1. Socio-Demographic Profile of Respondents

Most of the respondents were female (PRI: 57%, POI: 54%), a mother (PRI: 42%, POI: 50%), and married (PRI: 71%, POI: 79%). The majority graduated from at least high school level (PRI: 28%, POI: 23%). Table 1 summarizes the results of the KAP survey of the socio-demographic profile of respondents.

Socio-demographic profile of respondents.

Parameter	Pre-Implementation = 1088 (%)	Post-Implementation = 1380 (%)	-Value

Father	419 (38.5)	524 (37.8)	1.2777
Mother	453 (41.6)	691 (50.0)
Son/daughter	178 (16.4)	164 (11.8)	1.9990
Other	38 (3.5)	1 (0.07)	2.0000

Male	464 (42.6)	624 (45.2)	0.1965
Female	624 (57.3)	756 (54.7)	1.8035

Single	199 (18.3)	157 (11.3)	2.0000
Married	776 (71.3)	1097 (79.4)
Separated	11 (1.0)	19 (1.3)	0.4995
Widower	67 (6.2)	81 (5.8)	1.3223
Live-in	35 (3.2)	26 (1.8)	1.9739

Did not go to school	2 (0.2)	4 (0.2)	1.0000
Elementary Level	69 (6.3)	93 (6.7)	0.6915
Elementary graduate	181 (16.6)	244 (17.6)	0.5151
High school level	155 (14.2)	216 (15.6)	0.3357
High school graduate	305 (28.0)	319 (23.1)	1.9944
Vocational graduate	46 (4.1)	64 (4.6)	0.5516
College level	149 (13.7)	188 (13.6)	1.0571
College graduate	164 (15)	231 (16.7)	0.2545
Postgraduate	17 (1.6)	10 (0.7)	1.9665

3.2. Knowledge on Rabies, Species Affected, and Clinical Signs

Most pet owners had heard about rabies, mostly from radio (PRI: 23%, POI: 11%), health workers (PRI: 19%, POI: 14%), television (PRI: 41%, POI: 19%), neighbors (PRI: 22%, POI: 9.4%), and veterinarians (PRI: 4.5%, POI: 10%). Dogs (PRI: 54%, POI: 62%) and humans (PRI: 67%, POI: 29%) were the usual species affected with rabies according to the respondents. They identified fear of water (PRI: 18%, POI: 20%), aggressiveness (PRI: 16%, POI: 29%), and salivation (PRI: 43%, POI: 24%) as the most common signs of dog rabies. Common signs reported in humans were also fear of water (PRI: 26%, POI: 18%) and salivation (PRI: 22%, POI: 18%). Others admitted that they did not know anything about the signs of rabies in humans (PRI: 29%, POI: 8.9%). Table 2 summarizes the results of the KAP survey on the respondents’ knowledge on rabies.

Knowledge on Rabies.

Parameter (Knowledge on Rabies)	Pre-Implementation = 1088 (%)	Post-Implementation = 1380 (%)	-Value

Newspaper	53 (4.9)	64 (7.5)
Radio	255 (23.4)	97 (11.4)	2.0000
Relatives	116 (10.7)	42 (4.9)	2.0000
Health workers	205 (18.8)	117 (13.8)	1.9973
Veterinarians	49 (4.5)	87 (10.2)
TV	489 (44.9)	158 (18.6)	2.0000
Others (seminars, printed materials, barangay officials)	183 (16.8)	161 (19.0)	0.1986

Humans	732 (67.3)	406 (29.4)	2.0000
Cats	264 (24.3)	260 (19.0)	2.0000
Dogs	587 (53.9)	860 (62.3)	0.0000
Don’t know	83 (7.6)	177 (12.8)	0.0000
Others	100 (9.2)	36 (2.6)	2.0000

Fear of water	196 (18.0)	277 (20.1)	0.1245
Aggressiveness	174 (16.0)	289 (20.9)
Paralysis	15 (1.4)	36 (2.6)	0.0135
Convulsion	17 (1.6)	49 (3.6)
Restlessness/delirium	100 (9.2)	152 (11.0)	0.0840
Salivation/drooling	465 (42.7)	334 (24.2)	2.0000
Loss of appetite	73 (6.7)	72 (5.2)	1.9373
Do not know	235 (21.6)	80 (5.8)	2.0000
Others	372 (34.2)

Fear of water	277 (25.5)	243 (17.6)	2.0000
Aggressiveness	89 (8.2)	224 (16.2)
Paralysis	28 (2.7)	43 (3.1)	0.4763
Restlessness/delirium	39 (3.6)	279 (20.2)
Salivation/drooling	236 (21.7)	250 (18.1)	1.9919
Loss of appetite	60 (5.5)	115 (8.3)
Do not know	320 (29.4)	123 (8.9)	2.0000
Others (crazy, fever, convulsion)	438 (40.3)	201 (14.6)	2.0000

3.3. Transmission of Rabies, Its Prevention, and Presence of Government Rabies Programs

Respondents were asked for their knowledge on how dogs acquire rabies. Common answers were bite of another rabid dog (PRI: 18.1%, POI: 38.0%) and scavenging garbage (PRI: 21.3%, POI: 34.0%). There were also respondents who did not know anything on how rabies is being transmitted (PRI: 30.8%, POI: 13.5%). Others mentioned that dirty food and environment can be reasons why dogs acquire rabies (PRI: 28.3%, POI: 2.9%). On the other hand, rabid dog bite (PRI: 58.7%, POI: 79.5%) and eating dog meat (PRI: 2.4%, POI: 7.0%) are usual responses on how humans get infected with rabies. Similar to dog rabies transmission, there were people who did not know how the virus can be transferred to humans (PRI: 19.3%, POI: 8.1%). Meanwhile, to prevent rabies, pet owners believed that the best measures to prevent rabies in dogs are vaccination (PRI: 56.0%, POI: 92.8%) and confinement of dogs (PRI: 14.8%, POI: 6.1%). Some pet owners also mentioned that proper feeding, regular bathing, and maintaining a clean habitat (PRI: 31.0%, POI: 1.1%) are important rabies preventive measures. A majority of them know that pets should be vaccinated every year (PRI: 41.7%, POI: 92.3%). The data also indicated that the majority had heard about rabies-related local ordinance (PRI: 59.3%, POI: 59.7%) within their municipality (PRI: 63.0%, POI: 90.9%) or a legal mandate regarding RPO (PRI: 37.0%, POI: 9.1%). The majority felt the presence of rabies-related programs (PRI: 69.5%, POI: 96.0%), such as dog vaccination (PRI: 93.2%, POI: 89.9%) and rabies seminars (PRI: 6.1%, POI: 5.4%), during both study periods. Table 3 summarizes the results of the KAP survey on the transmission of rabies, its prevention, and presence of government rabies programs.

Knowledge on rabies, its prevention, and presence of government rabies programs.

Parameter (Knowledge)	PRI = 1088 (%)	POI = 1380 (%)	-Value

Bitten by a rabid dog	217 (19.9)	525 (38.0)
Eating dog meat	14 (1.3)	106 (7.7)
Licked on broken skin	29 (2.7)	54 (3.9)	0.0819
Scavenging garbage	256 (23.5)	469 (34.0)
Do not know	369 (33.9)	186 (13.5)	2.0000
Others (dirty food and environment)	339 (31.2)	40 (2.9)	2.0000

Bitten by a rabid dog	704 (64.7)	1097 (79.5)
Eating dog meat	52 (4.8)	96 (7.0)
Licked on broken skin	27 (2.5)	20 (1.4)	1.9578
Scavenging garbage	30 (2.7)	47 (3.4)	0.3095
Do not know	232 (21.3)	112 (8.1)	2.0000
Others (dirty environment)	95 (8.7)	8 (0.6)	2.0000

Vaccination	672 (61.8)	1281 (92.8)
Do not allow dogs to roam freely	178 (16.4)	84 (6.1)	2.0000
Others	372 (34.2)	15 (1.1)	2.0000
Do not know	66 (6.1)

Every year	500 (74.4)	1273 (99.4)
Every 6 months	118 (17.6)	83 (6.0)	2.0000
others	54 (8.0)	24 (1.7)	2.0000
Did you hear of any local ordinance?
Yes	711 (65.4)	824 (59.7)	1.9963
No	377 (34.6)	556 (40.3)

Local ordinance	448 (63.0)	749 (90.9)
Responsible pet ownership	148 (37.0)	75 (9.1)	2.0000

Yes	834 (76.7)	1325 (96.0)
No	254 (23.3)	55 (4.0)	2.0000

Dog vaccination	777 (93.2)	1192 (89.9)	1.9916
Rabies seminar	51 (6.1)	71 (5.4)	1.5072
Dog neutering	1 (0.1)	55 (4.2)
Others	5 (0.6)	7 (0.5)	1.2391

3.4. Dog Ownership and Attitude towards Biting Incidents

Most of the respondents had at least 1–2 dogs in their household (PRI: 80%, POI: 82%). Totals of 2193 and 2421 dogs were owned by the respondents, with an average of 1.83 and 1.75 dogs per household in the PRI study and the POI study, respectively. Vaccination history of dogs was noted from the respondents. During the PRI period, 58% were vaccinated (1272 of 2193) while in the POI, the history reflected dog vaccination coverage of 37% (890 of 2421) in 2015, 54% (1300 of 2421) in 2016, and 37% (890 of 2421) in 2017. Some of the household members incurred dog bites (PRI: 21%, POI: 21%), where bite victims were usually bitten by their own household dogs (PRI: 52%, POI: 35%) or roaming dogs with an owner (PRI: 34%, POI: 40%). A few first aid measures which were adopted by the bite victims were washing with soap (PRI: 83%, POI: 51%), visiting ‘ tandok’ (PRI: 29%, POI: 22%), and consulting an Animal Bite Treatment Center (ABTC) (PRI: 52%, POI: 39%). Observing the biting dog within the observation period (PRI: 26%, POI: 33%) and the immediate killing of the biting dog (PRI: 8.5%, POI: 12%) were some of the actions taken by bite victims toward the biting dog. Table 4 summarizes the results of the KAP survey on dog ownership and attitude towards biting incidents.

Dog ownership and attitude towards biting incidents.

Parameter	Pre-Implementation = 1088 (%)	Post-Implementation = 1380 (%)	-Value

1–2	868 (79.8)	1134 (82.2)	0.1304
3–4	183 (16.8)	205 (14.9)	1.8021
5 and above	37 (3.4)	41 (2.9)	1.5192

2015	1272 (58.0)	890 (36.8)	2.0000
2016		1300 (54.0)
2017		890 (36.8)

Yes	225 (20.7)	292 (21.2)	0.7618
No	863 (79.3)	1088 (78.8)	1.2382

Owner’s dog itself	116 (51.6)	102 (35.0)	1.9999
Stray with owner	77 (34.2)	117 (40.1)	0.1544
Stray without owner	50 (22.2)	72 (18.5)	1.6944
Others	5 (2.2)	1 (0.4)	1.9533

Washed with soap	186 (82.7)	150 (51.4)	2.0000
Applied with garlic	38 (16.9)	24 (8.2)	2.0000
Visited ‘tandok‘	64 (28.6)	63 (21.6)	1.9957
Did nothing	24 (10.5)	12 (4.1)	2.0000
Consulted Animal Bite Treatment Center	116 (51.6)	113 (38.7)	2.0000
Others	20 (8.9)	38 (13.9)

Observed	58 (25.8)	95 (32.5)	0.0980
Killed instantly	20 (8.9)	34 (11.6)	0.3196
Killed and head brought to laboratory	1 (0.4)	3 (1.0)	0.4401
Did nothing	139 (61.8)	154 (52.7)	1.9616
Others	7 (3.11)	6 (2.0)	1.5758

3.5. Attitude towards Suspect Rabid Animal Sightings

Respondents were asked about the actions to be done should they see animals with rabies-like symptoms. The answers included immediate killing of the dog (PRI: 20%, POI: 14%), capturing and observing the dog (PRI: 4.2%, POI: 13.3%), doing nothing (PRI: 14%, POI: 6.0%), and others, such as walking away from the suspect rabid animal (PRI: 36%, POI: 3.9%). A notable increase has been noted in people who responded to report rabid dog sighting to authorities in POI (63%) than PRI (26%). Of the people who answered that they reported to authorities, most of them mentioned that they will report suspect animals to village officials (PRI: 67%, POI: 80%). Table 5 summarizes the results of the KAP survey on the attitude towards suspect rabid animal sightings.

Attitude towards suspect rabid animal sightings.

Parameter	PRI = 1088 (%)	POI = 1380 (%)	-Value

Immediately kill the dog	220 (20.2)	189 (13.7)	2.0000
Report to authority	286 (26.3)	871 (63.1)
Capture & observe	46 (4.2)	183 (13.3)
Do Nothing	147 (13.5)	83 (6.0)	2.0000
Others	389 (35.8)	54 (3.9)	2.0000

Provincial Vet Office	27 (9.5)	133 (15.3)
Barangay Officials	192 (67.3)	696 (79.9)
Police	5 (1.9)	3 (0.3)	1.9954
City/Municipal Agriculture Office	25 (8.6)	28 (3.2)	1.9998
Rural Health Unit	17 (6.0)	8 (0.9)	2.0000
Others	25 (8.6)	3 (0.3)	2.0000

3.6. Duties of Owner towards Pets

Pet owners were also asked questions on common practices in taking care of pets. Overall, the most common answers were submitting of dogs for vaccination, confining dogs, and providing dogs with shelter and food. There was improvement (more than twofold) in the response of pet owners to submit their dogs for vaccination, from the PRI to the POI. Table 6 summarizes the results of the KAP survey on the duties of the owners towards pets.

Duties of pet owners towards pets.

Parameter	Pre-Implementation = 1088 (%)	Post-Implementation = 1380 (%)	-Value

Submit dogs for vaccination	379 (34.8)	1083 (78.5)
Do not allow dogs to roam freely	310 (28.5)	360 (26.1)	1.9463
Register dogs	84 (7.7)	134 (9.7)
Provide dogs with shelter/food	309 (28.4)	854 (61.9)	0.0000
Others (provide vitamin supplements, bathe regularly)	351 (32.3)	77 (5.6)	2.0000

4. Discussion

Community awareness is crucial in rabies prevention and control. Figure 2 shows a rabies-related information dissemination campaign for elementary pupils, which is regularly done during the national celebration of Rabies Awareness Month every March. Therefore, to efficiently increase awareness, the knowledge gap in the community must be identified and targeted [ 1 ]. The level of community awareness on different aspects of rabies, including its prevention and control, was investigated in this study. More importantly, the same study was conducted in two different periods with the same set of municipalities included in the sampling frame to evaluate if there was any effect on rabies awareness on pet owners brought about by the almost three-year implementation of the OIE STANDZ Rabies Project across the four provinces in the Bicol Region.

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is tropicalmed-03-00016-g002.jpg

Rabies information dissemination campaign for elementary pupils during Rabies Awareness Month (March) in the province of Masbate.

In many parts of the study, the pet owners’ level of rabies awareness was seen to improve during the post-implementation study. However, there were still some questions which were answered incorrectly; thus, rabies information dissemination must continue at the community level. Females, including mothers, represented the majority of dog owners and respondents for this study. In the Philippines, mothers are the primary care-givers for the children and are thus well-placed to also care for the household dogs [ 12 ]. The majority are also high school graduates and have a basic understanding of how to take care of pets and perform activities involving RPO. With the advent of media and technology, many of the pet owners heard news or information about rabies from television; thus, this channel of media is more effective in delivering information to the public. Since most respondents also came from rural areas, radio is also a common source of knowledge. This was true in another study in India where mass media (television/radio/newspaper) was the most common source of information regarding rabies [ 13 ]. Veterinarians as a source of knowledge was seen to have a twofold increase in the POI period. This can be accounted to an increase of rabies-related activities conducted in the pilot areas with the support from STANDZ. In both studies, more than half of the respondents believed that humans and dogs are the species affected with rabies. However, during the POI study, there were less than half of the respondents who knew that rabies can also be transmitted to humans. This is a point of concern, since, although they might associate dogs with rabies, they do not understand that a bite or lick on broken skin can also transmit this deadly disease. A considerable number of people did not know that other species (all mammals) can also be affected by rabies. The Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 indicated that rabies concepts must be incorporated into the school curriculum. However, it was only this year (2017) that the move to formally integrate rabies concepts into the school curriculum was done at the national level, through the initiative of the Global Alliance of Rabies Control (GARC) in cooperation with DA-BAI and the Department of Education. This program is estimated to support 21 million students in 46,264 public schools as well as their teachers and parents [ 14 ].

Considering all platforms through which respondents have obtained knowledge on rabies, the common clinical signs recognized by pet owners in both dogs and humans were fear of water, aggressiveness, and drooling. Both humans and animals exhibit a fear of water or ‘hydrophobia’ when the animal is trying to drink water due to the spasm of the accessory respiratory muscles of the neck, pharyngeal muscles, and diaphragm followed by extension of the neck and a feeling of dyspnea [ 15 ]. When the virus has already reached the salivary glands from the brain, drooling happens due to the paralysis of this organ [ 16 ]. Since fear of water, aggressiveness, and drooling are the easiest to be observed and most commonly heard in different media outlets, these clinical signs were noted to be common knowledge from the pet owners. Interestingly, the number of people who did not have any knowledge on the clinical signs in either humans or animals decreased by three- to fourfold in the POI study. This means that increasingly, people are becoming more aware about the disease. Whilst mass media contribute to this, we must also take into account the presence of the intensified rabies campaign present in the pilot areas, which most likely also raised awareness in the community.

The number of pet owners in the POI who knew that dog rabies can be transmitted through a bite doubled compared to the PRI. However, there were still a considerable number of people who believed that scavenging garbage can infect dogs with rabies. This belief could be related to the traditional beliefs about stray dogs that are often observed scavenging. Some people believed that dogs become sick through a dirty environment and eventually become rabid. Others stated that stray dogs are at greater risk to receive a bite from rabid dogs; therefore, this study suggests to program implementers to strictly implement stray dog control to reduce the spread of rabies or other diseases through contact with infected dogs. More people are becoming aware of rabies transmission, with a twofold decrease in people who did not know anything about this. There were a few respondents during both PRI and POI who believed that eating dog meat is a potential source in acquiring rabies. Eating cooked dog meat which is suspected to come from a rabid animal cannot transmit the disease to humans, since the virus is killed by the high temperature of cooking. However, the danger of eating dog meat lies with the person who killed the dog and prepared the meat as contact with the infected saliva via broken skin or mucous membrane, the consumption of uncooked meat and meat preparation are risks for the transmission of rabies [ 16 ]. In the Philippines, there are some provinces where people consider raw dog meat, known as ‘ kilawin ’, as a delicacy, especially during alcohol drinking sessions. These people are at risk to exposure to rabies if the dog happens to be infected. Even though the risk of transmission varies, all possible modes of transmission, including through bite, contact with saliva, and consumption of animal products from diseased animals should be avoided [ 17 ].

During the POI, an overwhelming response was noted with regard to vaccination being reported as the most important rabies control measure. While vaccination is the most effective measure to control rabies, restricting dogs from roaming freely, bathing dogs, and cleaning their cages were also mentioned. This does not have a direct impact on the transmission of the virus but are components of RPO which should also be improved. Almost all pet owners knew that vaccinations should be carried out every year in the POI period compared to pet owners during the previous study. This could be a direct result of the MDV initiated by most agriculture/veterinary offices. Most respondents were aware of the local ordinances that had been implemented by cities and municipalities within each territorial jurisdiction. There was an increase in the number of pet owners who were aware of the rabies program in their municipality in the POI, compared to the PRI, particularly to dog vaccination.

The number of dogs owned in each household remained almost the same, at 1–2 dogs, in both study periods. Unfortunately, upon checking the vaccination history of the dogs in the POI, out of the 2421 dogs surveyed, there was a 54% (2016) and 36.8% (2017) vaccination coverage, values which are below the 70% vaccination rate recommended for effective control of the disease. Since the data from the POI were only collected in February to April 2017, this might be too early to notice an impact because the MAO/CVO may have only just started its campaign. There may be an increase in awareness observed in many areas during the POI; however, this does not correlate with the number of dogs submitted for vaccination. This result should be considered by program implementers because many of the vaccination reports in the pilot area indicated that the 70% vaccination rate has been reached. MDV might have only reached urban villages but not the remote areas; thus, there is a lower reporting of vaccination in this survey as the study was conducted in both urban and rural villages. Furthermore, there might have been a low turn-out because dogs under the age bracket of 1 year (37%, 897 of 2421 dogs) were included in the POI study. Unfortunately, data on the age bracket was not gathered in the PRI.

MDVs are often performed in a city/municipality over a two-to-three month period depending on its area size. In the Philippines, if few dogs are submitted to a central vaccination site, then house-to-house MDV is also done. If a pet owner has dogs which are not three months of age, they will not yet be vaccinated. Vaccinators advise them to visit the MAO/CVO once the dog reaches the recommended age. However, pet owners, especially in rural areas, will not bother to bring their dogs to the MAO/CVO because of transportation-related expenses and a lack of household members to handle the dogs in these offices. With the presumption that maternal antibody will interfere with the immune response before three months of age, vaccination is not recommended in this age group [ 18 ]. However, in studies in Tanzania and South Africa, puppies (under three months of age) responded well to a standard dose of high-quality vaccine [ 19 ]. A similar study in Tunisia also yielded a protective antibody titer (>0.5 IU/mL) without evidence of showing maternal antibody interference [ 20 ]. Therefore, in rabies-endemic countries, puppies should be considered in vaccination campaigns because delaying vaccination until the 3rd month of age, especially puppies that came from non-vaccinated dams, means that they may not have the chance of being vaccinated at all. Moreover, analysis of the 10-year data from the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory-Bicol Region, showed that 33% of all of the rabies-positive animals are 1 year of age and below, which also includes animals 3 months of age and below. This data shows a higher prevalence of rabies in younger animals, thus the vaccination of puppies should be ensured during MDV.

Some areas in the Bicol region have refined their strategies in the conduct of MDV. Good practices that were documented include the hiring of a community animal health worker (CAHW) or CAHW per village (recommended by their village leader), who would be responsible to conduct an initial census of the dog population and to vaccinate the whole village within a certain period of time dictated by the MAO/CVO. Some CAHWs learned that it was better to vaccinate after office hours and weekends so that owners will be present to handle their pets during vaccination. In other municipalities, socio-civic organizations were tapped as volunteers to augment the needed manpower in MDV. An increase in vaccination accomplishment is achieved through well-informed pet owners willing to cooperate with the government’s rabies-related activities.

At least one bite incident in the household was documented in twenty percent (20%) of the respondents. Usually, pet owners have been bitten by their own dogs. There was an increase in the number of biting dogs that are roaming but are owned; thus, there was no improvement seen in the control of stray dogs in between the two study periods. Most of the bite victims performed washing of the wound with soap, which is one of the most important first aid measures in any bite injury; however, there was a decrease in the number of people performing this during the POI. Consulting ABTCs to seek medical attention was also carried out by bite victims, but a decrease in the number of people doing this was documented in the POI. Consulting ‘ tandok ’ or traditional faith healers and the application of garlic as a topical first aid were still adopted by some bite victims from both study periods. This is not unique to the Philippines, as bite victims from countries such as India and Bangladesh also applied chili oil and turmeric powder as home remedies in their bite wounds [ 12 , 21 ].

Observation of the biting dog was carried out in most biting incidents. There were less people in the POI who did nothing, and an increase in bite victims immediately killing the dog, was noted. In many of the animal rabies cases investigated within the pilot areas, a rabid dog bit more than two people. In worst cases, rabid dogs bit at least ten people. If situations such as these arise, the community comes together to find and kill the aggressive dog and stop the series of biting. In cultures where they are not familiar with dog handling and restraint, the practice of killing is very common [ 22 ]. A study in India reported that 43% of the respondents felt that killing stray dogs and suspect aggressive dogs is the best method for controlling rabies [ 11 ]. Conversely, in one study, there was no evidence that culling of dogs alone made a significant impact on reducing dog population densities and the number of rabies cases; the confounding factor was the dogs’ high population turnover [ 21 ].

There was a significant improvement in the POI with regard to the reporting of rabid dog sightings to authorities, more specifically to village officials. This may be a result of the STANDZ initiative to support community-based orientation on the Anti-Rabies Act. Aside from the human health, animal health, and education counterparts, village officials were also invited to participate in this meeting. In this forum, the roles and responsibilities of each agency towards the implementation of rabies control programs were discussed. Since village officials are considered the frontline in small communities, they must be educated on the importance of their role in preventing and controlling rabies. By underscoring the importance of their position in the program, they will feel empowered and are more likely to effectively perform their job in educating their constituents. Following protocols such as capturing the dog involved, observing them for the next 14 days, and submitting the head sample (if the biting dog dies within 14 days) would be very helpful in preventing the spread of virus from its source. During the PRI, most pet owners replied that they would just walk away from suspect rabid dogs. This reply decreased significantly in the POI, which signifies that pet owners are becoming more conscious of their responsibility as a pet owner to report suspect rabid dogs to authorities.

Pet owners have also recognized their responsibility of submitting their dogs for vaccination. Improvement was realized in the POI study, where more respondents chose this practice as a way to take care of their pets. Meanwhile, almost the same number of people across both studies answered that they should not allow dogs to roam freely. This should prompt the implementing agencies to place more emphasis on education and to create policies that would strengthen the control of stray dogs in the community, since most rabid dogs are strays.

5. Conclusions

The Bicol Region has gained substantial knowledge, attitude, and practices on rabies prevention and control and other related issues since the initial PRI study was conducted. Previously, most of the respondents knew very little about rabies and would do nothing upon seeing rabid dogs. After the support given by OIE STANDZ Rabies Project to the pilot provinces, many are now actively reporting sightings of suspect rabid dogs and properly managing dog bite cases. Most respondents have agreed that vaccination is an effective preventive measure to control rabies. However, there are still certain management practices that need to be improved, such as reducing reliance on traditional faith healers for bite wounds, improving rabies vaccination coverage in both rural and urban villages, and controlling stray dogs.

Now that the OIE STANDZ Rabies Project has come to a close, municipalities and cities should institutionalize the implementation of self-sustaining rabies programs, building upon the lessons learned from the project, such as: (1) continuous regular information campaigns directed towards the pet owners (up to the village level) in order to increase the public’s awareness on rabies and related issues; (2) implement ordinances and strictly impose penalties for violators; (3) collaborate with other relevant agencies and organizations, and create strategies to increase MDV coverage in cities and municipalities; (4) design programs to regulate traditional faith healers, and discourage the public from consulting them; (5) involve village officials in the rabies program; and (6) establish a proper referral system for dog bite incidents.

Strategies and tools for a more holistic rabies program implementation are widely available at the international level, yet its operationalization at the community remains as a challenge. Many pet owners actively participated in different information dissemination activities organized by the project. As a result, the knowledge gained by the residents of the community was translated into actions. In the pilot areas, coordination across all sectors (pet owners to village officials, municipal/city animal and human health authorities, and personnel of the animal diagnostic laboratory) has greatly improved during the reporting of those suspect rabid dogs which have eventually turned out to be rabies positive. Behavioral change in the community is reflected by their active response to biting incidents and rabid dog sightings, which coincided with the results in the POI phase. This shows that efforts can effectively be focused first at the community level (which includes empowering village officers) and can serve as a model for implementation at a larger scale as a sound program starts at this level.

Government efforts should likewise be complemented by a cooperative community willing to support activities to promote rabies awareness and responsible pet ownership. A harmonious relationship between the government and its communities and the education of its constituents on this disease will help reduce the incidence of rabies.

Acknowledgments

Authors would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the Municipal Agriculture and City Veterinary Offices who coordinated with the village officials for us to conduct the interviews with the pet owners.

Author Contributions

T.R.M.B. analyzed the data, prepared the write-up, assisted in data gathering and submitted the manuscript to the journal. I.S.B. and T.M.L. did the leg work in data gathering including questionnaire preparation. R.P.B. coordinated with the respondents in this study through the municipal, city, provincial veterinary and agriculture office. E.L.L. scrutinized and edited the manuscript. M.J.N.G. and R.C.A. conceptualized the research design and assisted in data analysis.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

This work was supported by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Stop Transboundary Animal Diseases and Zoonoses initiative.

Essay on Dog for Students and Children

500+ words essay on dog.

The dog is a pet animal. A dog has sharp teeth so that it can eat flesh very easily, it has four legs, two ears, two eyes, a tail, a mouth, and a nose. It is a very clever animal and is very useful in catching thieves. It runs very fast, barks loudly and attacks the strangers. A dog saves the life of the master from danger. One can find dogs everywhere in the world. Dogs are a very faithful animal. It has a sharp mind and a strong sense of hearing smelling the things. It also has many qualities like swimming in the water, jumping from anywhere, good smelling sense.

Importance of Dog

A dog has a strong power of smell . They are more liked by people because of their faithfulness. They are intelligent, they are watchfulness. The dogs have many colors such as grey, white, black, brown and red. They are of many kinds such as bloodhound, greyhound, german shepherd, Labrador, Rottweiler, bulldog poodle, etc.

Usually, the dog eats fish, meat, milk, rice, bread, etc. Dogs are sometimes called canines. Dogs are sometimes referred to as man’s best friend because they are kept as domestic pets and are usually loyal and like being around humans. They are also helpful in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness and even improve your cardiovascular health. A dog also provides valuable companionship for older adults.

The dogs are so loyal to his master that nothing can induce him to leave his master. His master might be a poor man or even a beggar but still, the dog will not leave his master from far off. Dogs see their master coming home from work they rush to them and jump on them to show their love. Dogs are honest friends who are always ready to die to save a friend. It can bite a thief or stranger when they ignore its barking and try to mischief. Dogs always give security to the owner day and night.

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Life Span 0f a Dog

The lifespan of a dog is very small however it can live around 12-15 years long which depend on their size such as smaller dogs lives a longer life. A female dog gives birth to a baby and feed milk that’s why dogs under the mammal category. The dog baby is called a puppy or pup and dog home is called kennel. Dogs are categorized according to their service to people such as guard dogs, herding dogs, hunting dogs, police dogs, guide dogs, sniffer dogs, etc. It has a strong power of smell with the assistance of police can arrest murderers, thieves, and dacoits. The Military trains the dogs to track and detect bombs.

Need for Dogs

Detection dogs can be employed at airports, police stations, borders, and schools. Tracking and Hunting dogs, hounds, terriers, and dachshund are the most popular types of hunting and tracking dogs. These dogs are trained to be the eyes, ears, and retrievers for their human companions.

Dogs are a very excellent swimmer. They are really a very helpful pet animal. He respects his owner from the heart and can easily guess his/ her presence through their smell. We should take good care of it and keep them in good condition.

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Dog Bites: Comprehensive Data and Interdisciplinary Analyses

A new book called "dog bites: a multidisciplinary perspective" tells it all.

Posted August 28, 2017

Why dogs bite, the medical, legal, and other consequences of humans being bitten by dogs, and how to manage them, are "hot" topics globally. 1 I'm very interested in the general topic of dog biting, but when I go to the web to learn about specific studies there are numerous hits and it's often difficult to make sense of the data and to separate fact from fiction. So, I was thrilled to learn of a new book edited by Daniel Mills and Carri Westgarth called Dog Bites: A Multidisciplinary Perspective . To say this volume is encyclopedic is a major understatement, and each time I go back to it I Iearn a lot of new information. Its description reads:

The issue of dog bites and dog aggression directed at humans is frequently in the media. However, scientific research and evidence on the subject is scattered and sparse. Public and political opinions are often misinformed and out of proportion to the extent of the problem. Dog Bites brings together expert knowledge of the current situation, from a wide variety of disciplines, to provide information to the many people and professions affected by this issue. Subjects range from the practical, medical, behavioural, sociological, and theoretical, but the overall approach of the book is objective and integrative. Topics addressed include: the genetic basis of aggression; the public image of aggressive dogs; bite statistics; risk factors; the forensics and surgical aspects of dog bites; international legal perspectives; court evidence; first aid treatment; zoonotic disease potential; behavioural rehabilitation options; the risk to children; and a consideration of why some dogs kill. All contributors are academic or long-standing professional experts in their field, and they represent a wide spread of international expertise. This issue is an important one for pet owners, vets, animal shelters, and anyone who works with dogs, such as the police. This book will be a valuable resource for them, as well as for animal behaviourists, academic researchers, health professionals, dog breeders, and handlers.

Dog Bites is organized into nine sections titled Fundamental Principles, Perceptions of Dogs that Bite, Dog Bites and Risk, Investigative and Legal Issues, Health Issues, Handling the Aggressive Dog, Managing Future Risk, Prevention, and Concluding Comments. Thirty-nine contributors wrote its 32 chapters.

I reached out to Dr. Mills , Europe's first professor of veterinary behavioural medicine, and Dr. Westgarth , a Research Fellow at the University of Liverpool where she completed her Ph.D. in Veterinary Epidemiology and Masters degree in Public Health, and they agreed to answer a few questions about their landmark book. Dr. Mills' answers are in italics and Dr. Westgarth's are in plain text. Our interview went as follows.

Why did you decide to compile the essays for Dog Bites: A Multidisciplinary Perspective ?

Dr. Mills: It has been clear that so many people are stakeholders in this and its implications and many people see to use the data for their own agenda by being both selective and over simplifying things. There was however no single authoritative point of reference and so this what we decided to set about addressing.

Dr. Westgarth: I have always been a very multidisciplinary person, perhaps a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ type so to speak, and this extends to my research. But this enabled me to see that different disciplines I was viewing the subject of dog bites from were seeing the problem and the solutions quite differently. For example, dog behaviour counselling (people do stupid things to dogs and simply need to stop) compared to human public health (people do what they do because their environment sets them up to do that and it’s very difficult to do any different). A broad reference point was needed in order to challenge our personal thinking.

Why is it essential to take a broad and multidisciplinary perspective on the problems at hand?

It’s a bit about the three blind men and the elephant -- one has the trunk, one the ear and one the leg, they all perceive the animal very differently and so it is with aggressive behaviour we need people to at least appreciate that its complex and that we need to be critical of simple solutions- if they existed it would be solved by now. Only with us coming together can we make real difference.

Even experts in one particular area of dog bites make a lot of assumptions. This was really apparent in reading the manuscript drafts, where authors of one chapter were stating background assumptions to introduce their specialist area whereas another author (who was the specialist in that area) was busting that myth in their chapter. We have to think more broadly and put the pieces of the puzzle together if we are going to effectively prevent and treat dog bites.

Can you briefly summarize some of your findings, noting general trends and surprises?

Oh that’s a hard one -- to me, the main thing to appreciate is that we know very little with much confidence -- generally the data is very poor, but that does not mean that all solutions are equally valid. I think if we can be more critical we can perhaps at least have better pragmatic solutions until the research catches up.

I think people will be surprised at how little we actually know, especially when it comes to risk factors for aggression. It’s very easy to read one research paper and think their results are great and must hold true but it is only when you look at a whole body of work and really critically engage with it, which we gave our authors liberty to do (and we did of them), that you start to really see the contrasting findings and gaps. We actually don’t know for sure how many dog bites there are, who is at most risk, or how to effectively prevent them. I am also excited by the new data that this book contributes, including breed variations in jaw structure and bite strength, media and societal perceptions of aggressive dogs, and my own data on deep reaching impacts of even minor dog bites on victims.

Who is your intended audience?

Anyone with a serious interest in this, but especially the professions covered by the authorship as well as academics

I hope that there is something for everyone who is interested in dog bites, even if someone is already at the top of the game in their own discipline. For example, dog trainers can learn about statistics, epidemiological risk factors and bacterial infections caused by dog bites. Surgeons can learn about best practice aggressive dog rehabilitation methods and educational initiatives for prevention of bites to children. Vets can learn about societal constructions of aggressive breeds and forensic investigation of human fatalities. It will hopefully open up new worlds for everyone.

Do you have hope that there are solutions to reduce the incredible number reported dog bites and how might this be done? What role can veterinarians play?

It think we can -- but we also need to abandon the idea that all bites are preventable- living with dogs caries an inevitable risk – the first question is to educate people about what these risks are and what as a society we think is acceptable- bearing in mind the enormous benefits dog ownership brings. Vets have a role to play (I am a vet) but its relatively small, as they are not well trained in behaviour – it needs cross-disciplinary collaboration .

In my mind we definitely have to abandon the ‘blame the victim or owner’ approach and we cannot rely on education . Education alone does not work in any other health promotion topic, why would it work for dog bites? People often know that they are at risk of being bitten but carry on anyway! We also need to challenge the perceptions that dog bites are ‘just one of those things’ that can’t be prevented. I think many of them can, but there is no one solution, prevention has to happen at a number of levels. The swiss cheese model is one way to think about it: Think of slices of swiss cheese lined up against each other. Each hole is a potential point in the barrier through which failure to prevent the risk could occur. When all these holes align a dog bite occurs. For example, a puppy from a sire with a nervous disposition, the pup went to socialisation classes, but was attacked by another dog a few years later and developed back pain that made him suspicious of being handled, one day a parcel delivery man comes and the dog is usually shut away during these situations but he managed to push on the door and it sprang open and the dog ran to the front of the house, the delivery man reached to stroke him on his back, and was bitten. Hypothetical but you can see where there are a number of events and contexts which contributed to this one dog bite event. Each one alone may not have.

Is there anything else you'd like to share with readers?

Not that springs to mind, other than its not a self help book it is a point of reference – I actually like your conceptualisation of it as a series of essays in a more encyclopedic way -- hadn’t thought about it like that.

We hope readers find it useful, and to expect some myth-busting and conflicting points of view!

What are some of your current and future projects?

In relation to dog aggression – I have on-going work on cultural factors altering perception and how we communicate better interventions, work I’m writing up on when the aggressive behaviour becomes seen to be a problem and what that means, and then on-going work on medical issues affecting dogs that show aggressive behaviour.

I have a Ph.D. student investigating in detail perceptions and beliefs regarding risk and safety around dogs, using detailed interviews and field observations, in particular of work places at risk of dog bites. I’ve been working closely with Royal Mail on their dog bite prevention initiatives – over 7000 postal workers in the UK are bitten each year. We need to better understand how high risk people such as this can be protected from bites. My other research is regarding people’s motivations for walking their dogs, and beneficial effects on human wellbeing. We need to balance the risks and benefits of dogs to society.

Thank you Drs. Mills and Westgarth for compiling this much-needed and timely volume, and thanks to your 39 contributors as well. I find myself picking it up and randomly going to chapters and to the tables and graphs to absorb what you and your authors have written.

All in all, Dog Bites: A Multidisciplinary Perspective is extremely comprehensive and a most valuable addition to a scattered and difficult to interpret literature. I hope it receives a broad global audience, because dog bites know no geographical boundaries . As we learn more and more about why dogs bite, it'll be a win-win for them and for us. And, our companions need all the help they can get (for more on this topic please see " Companion Animals Need Much More Than We Give Them ," " Dogs Want and Need Much More Than They Usually Get From Us ," and links therein).

Please stay tuned for more information on dogs and other nonhuman companions with whom share our lives. There's no shortage of new studies coming our way.

1 The World health Organization (WHO) reports "There are no global estimates of dog bite incidence, however studies suggest that dog bites account for tens of millions of injuries annually. In the United States of America for example, approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year. Of these, nearly 885 000 seek medical care; 30 000 have reconstructive procedures; 3–18% develop infections and between 10 and 20 fatalities occur. Other high-income countries such as Australia, Canada and France have comparable incidence and fatality rates."

Marc Bekoff’s latest books are Jasper’s Story: Saving Moon Bears (with Jill Robinson); Ignoring Nature No More: The Case for Compassionate Conservation; Why Dogs Hump and Bees Get Depressed : The Fascinating Science of Animal Intelligence , Emotions, Friendship , and Conservation; Rewilding Our Hearts: Building Pathways of Compassion and Coexistence; The Jane Effect: Celebrating Jane Goodall (edited with Dale Peterson); and The Animals’ Agenda: Freedom, Compassion, and Coexistence in the Human Age (with Jessica Pierce). Canine Confidential: Why Dogs Do What They Do will be published in early 2018. Learn more at marcbekoff.com .

Marc Bekoff, Ph.D. , is professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

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Essay on My Pet in 150, 250, and 350 Words for Students

Updated on
Jan 12, 2024

Essay on My Pet: Pets are wonderful companions, there is no denying that. Pets provide us with immense love and affection and ask for very little in return. Dogs are “man’s best friend”, this particular phrase has been heard for centuries now, and for a good reason too. Dogs are protective, they are loyal, and are always there for you. There are a lot of reasons as to why dogs make great pets. They comfort and support us in our difficult times. For centuries they have been the most popular pets in the world and it is no surprise as they have been our faithful friends.

Talking about one’s pet is just so exciting and fun. People can go on and on talking about their pets and not stop. Doing the same, we have moulded some of those words in the form of samples of essay on My Pet in 150, 250 and 300 words for students. Let’s have a look at them.

Table of Contents

1 Essay on My Pet in 150 words
2 Essay on My Pet in 250 words
3 Essay on My Pet in 300 words

Also Read:- Essay on Subhash Chandra Bose for Students

Essay on My Pet in 150 words

I have a pet dog and his name is Chandler. He is named after my favourite “ Friends ” character and has been with us for the last nine months. His colour is golden and his tail is bushy as he is a golden retriever. Chandler is very energetic and likes to play a lot with all of us. He runs extremely fast when chasing cats. He is very playful. We take good care of his diet. I give him foods like eggs, meat, fish, bread, rice, etc. Whenever I return from school, he wags his tail in joy and jumps and hops all around me as if celebrating. Chandler knows everybody in our family and whenever he sees a new person, he barks at them, but he is sweet and does not bite anyone. He is very intelligent as well and gives us handshakes with his paws. He understands whatever we tell, and on command, he sits and rolls over too. He is an essential part of our family and we all love him very much.

Essay on My Pet in 250 words

My pet dog is a Golden Retriever and his name is Cheddar. He is named after a dog seen on the famous sitcom “Brooklyn 99”. Cheddar is a very energetic and playful dog. He likes to go on walks a lot and play with frisbees and balls. My dad brought him home a year ago. Although I somewhat wanted a cat, now I love him the most. Bella, my sister is crazy about dogs, she wanted a dog since time immemorial. At first, our mother was sceptical about getting a pet, but now Cheddar is her favourite. She treats him just like the way she treats us.

My sister is particular about his timely vaccinations, eating habits, cleanliness, etc. She bathes him twice a week and every evening, we take him out for a stroll in the neighbourhood as well as the park. As mentioned before, Cheddar is quite active. Hence, we play with him in the park a lot. We throw a ball or a frisbee and play a game of fetch with him. He likes to roll in the leaves and it is fun to watch him do so. Along with being active, Cheddar is smart as well. At home, when his food is served, as long as we don’t say the word “go” he patiently waits. On command, he jumps and shakes hands with us using his paw. When told, he can roll over too. He amuses us with his daily fetching of random things like slippers, or one of his toys. We love him with all our heart and he has become an essential member of our family.

Essay on My Pet in 300 words

My pet’s name is Mario. He is a two-year-old German Shepherd. I was in 6th grade when my father brought Mario home when he was just 45 days old. His cute little face was so fluffy I could just hug and kiss him all day. I bought a soccer ball, with which he and I used to play all day long. Being in school, I used to think about what is he doing right now or today I’ll take him for a walk to the park, where we will play soccer, etc.

His unconditional love has always been there as a stress reliever. His loyalty, unwavering support and companionship have been with me in my good and bad times. Now that he is an adult, I have taken all his responsibilities like feeding him, bathing him, taking him for walks, etc.

Mario once fell ill due to a cold, and whatever he was eating, he was not able to digest it. I got s worried that I took him to the vet, where he was given a penicillin shot as an antibiotic treatment. I was so scared that I held him with my hands and he was lying there, unconscious. Two hours later, he gained his consciousness and started licking my face. All my sorrow and sadness vanished away in a second, seeing his beautiful eyes and fluffy tail wavering all over the table.

Now that he is completely healthy, I take him for his walks every day, where he is always filled with excitement to explore the other world. As a loyal friend, my dog, Mario, has never demanded anything except for 3 times of meals and a walk. Whether it’s a game of fetch in the backyard or a stroll in the park, every shared moment is a treasure that adds richness to my life.

I have a pet dog and his name is Chandler. He is named after my favourite “Friends” character and has been with us for the last nine months. His colour is golden and his tail is bushy as he is a golden retriever. Chandler is very energetic and likes to play a lot with all of us. He runs extremely fast when chasing cats. He is very playful. We take good care of his diet. I give him foods like eggs, meat, fish, bread, rice, etc. Whenever I return from school, he wags his tail in joy and jumps and hops all around me as if celebrating. Chandler knows everybody in our family and whenever he sees a new person, he barks at them, but he is sweet and does not bite anyone. He is very intelligent as well and gives us handshakes with his paws. He understands whatever we tell, and on command, he sits and rolls over too. He is an essential part of our family and we all love him a lot.

Both cats and dogs make wonderful pets, each offering unique qualities that appeal to different people. Cats are generally more independent animals. Dogs are social animals that thrive on companionship. They usually need more attention, exercise, and social interaction.

Dogs are known as the best friends of humans because they bring loyalty, joyous moments, unconditional love and life-teaching lessons. Some of the best dog breeds for domestication are German Shepherd, Siberian Huskey, Golden Retriever, Labrador, Beagle and Boxer.

Deepansh Gautam

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Key messages

Introduction

Physical assessment and management

Medical interventions

Wound management

Psychological impacts

Risk factors and bite circumstances

Patterns in paediatric dog bites

Dog bite prevention

Existing approaches to dog bite prevention

Prevention through education

Prevention through supervision

Prevention through environmental modification

Reducing bite impact and future incidents

Acknowledgments

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Dog Bites: Statistics and Treatment

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Community Awareness on Rabies Prevention and Control in Bicol, Philippines: Pre- and Post-Project Implementation

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1. Introduction

2.1. Study Area

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3.3. Transmission of Rabies, Its Prevention, and Presence of Government Rabies Programs

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Dog Bites: Comprehensive Data and Interdisciplinary Analyses

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Essay on My Pet in 150, 250, and 350 Words for Students

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Essay on My Pet in 250 words