Dog Bite Prevention

MEDIA ADVISORY
For immediate release

What: National Dog Bite Prevention Week
When: May 19 - 25, 2002
Contact: Ann Freeman, Director of Public Relations, College of Veterinary Medicine, 612.624.4752, pager 612.580.0494

COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE PROVIDES PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR NATIONAL DOG BITE PREVENTION WEEK

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (May 20, 2002) - May 19-25 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. Last month, the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) launched an informational dog bite prevention campaign. Comprehensive information about dog bite prevention can be found on the College's web site at www.cvm.umn.edu. Click on the "Facts U Can Use" button to obtain information relevant to dog owners, individuals, families, children about the prevention of dog bites, and what to do if approached by an aggressive dog.

"Dog bites occur year-round, but in Minnesota they are especially common in the spring and summer," said Petra Mertens, D.V.M., a dog behavior expert and professor at the CVM.

Each year, approximately 1 million people report being bitten by dogs, and it is estimated that an equal number go unreported. Approximately 60 percent of the victims are children, with almost 80 percent of those bites occurring to the child's face. However, it is a common misperception that most of these injuries are caused by stray or "fighting dogs". Most injuries occur in the owner's or the victim's home, and 77 percent of dog-bite victims are members of or close friends with the dog's family and are familiar with the dog.

Additional pet behavior information is available at the CVM PetCARE Information Center www.petcare.umn.edu. (NOTE: this website is not longer in existence) People who have questions about their pet's behavior can submit e-mail inquiries at the PetCARE Web site, or may call the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Animal Behavior Service at 612-624-0797.

www.cvm.umn.edu
www.ahc.umn.edu

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