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Every year, 4.5 million
Americans are bitten by dogs, according to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.
Fort Wayne, Ind., Animal
Care and Control spokeswoman Peggy Bender notes that dog
attacks "be prevented by dog owners using good
judgment and proper confinement."
To avoid dog bites: Never
approach an unfamiliar dog.
If you are approached by
an unfamiliar dog, remain motionless until the dog
leaves the area. Do not scream or run from dog.
If a dog should attack,
throw at it a purse, jacket, backpack or anything that
can come between you and it.
If you are a dog owner,
have your dog spayed or neutered, take your dog to
obedience classes and avoid chaining your dog.
If you see a loose dog,
report it to your local animal control agency.
If you are bitten:
Children should tell an
adult right away.
Wash the wound with soap
and water and consult a doctor. Serious bites can cause
permanent scarring, so ask for a plastic surgeon
certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Report animal bites to
your local animal control agency. Be prepared to provide
as much information about the animal as possible.
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