Incidents like the one this morning, when a German shepherd bit a Davie boy who came to pick up a friend, add fuel to the never-ending discussion on how to prevent dog attacks. Breed-specific laws? Legislation that doesn’t target certain types of canines? The debate goes on – and may continue, if the Florida Legislature this session again looks at a dangerous dog bill as it did during the past one.

But law or no, there are things that responsible owners can do to diminish the chances that their dogs will bite, and measures people can take to make sure they don’t get bitten.

FOR DOG OWNERS

*·Don’t place a dog with a history of aggression in a household with young children.
* Don’t play aggressive games with your dog, like wrestling.
* Properly socialize your dog to people and other dogs.
* Teach submissive behaviors, like rolling over and relinquishing food without growling.
* Spaying or neutering your dog will reduce aggressive tendancies.
* Don’t leave young children or infants alone with a dog. Children are the most common dog bite victims.

PREVENTING BITES

* Do not approach an unfamiliar dog.
* Do not run from a dog or scream. If approached by an unfamiliar dog, be very still.
* If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still.
* Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.
* Do not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating or taking care of her puppies.
* Don’t pet a dog without allowing it to see you and sniff you first.

For more good tips, go here for bite prevention information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here is another link to more information on bites from the US Postal Service.

And here is an interesting report, from a 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, on research involving what breeds have more involved in bite cases nationwide from 1979 through 1998.

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I came by this via Orlando Sentinel's Animal Crazy blog and definitely want to spread the word...

Chai, a yellow Lab in the New York City area, had to have his tongue amputated after it got stuck in a red rubber "pimple ball" he was playing with. Chai's veterinarian said the problem was that as the dog chewed on the toy, a vacuum was created, sucking Chai's tongue inside. The frightened dog's tongue then began to swell, making it impossible for his owner to remove the ball and eventually circulation was cut off to the tongue.

A second hole in the toy would have prevented the vacuum effect.

Chai's owner wants the product, the pimple ball with bell made by Four Paws Inc (UPC Code 0 4566320227), to be recalled. And I bet that there are other dog balls out there that also may contain this design flaw.

Click here to see all the details on poor Chai's miserable experience (warning, some of the photos are a little distressing) and videos on how he is learning to eat again.

Another case was documented by the Log Cabin Animal Hospital in Indianapolis. Click here to read about Rosco, a young Shepard mix who also was treated because his tongue had gotten stuck into a ball. While this report doesn't give the make of the ball, it looks very similar to the one that injured Chai. And it clearly does not have a second hole.

Four Paws is based in New York. Click here for the information on how to contact them and demand this toy be recalled.

And check all plastic chew toys to ensure they have a second hole.
Please leave a comment if you have had a similar experience.

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We've started feeding our two cats, who previously ate nothing but kibble, more "wet" food lately on the advice of our veterinarian. (Apparently, vets are starting to believe that dry food-intensive diets may contribute to kitty diabetes, but more on that later). Sometimes, I'll give Franny and Dolan part of the can and then leave the rest overnight until breakfast -- covered but not refrigerated -- as the chilled stuff does not smell as stinky-delicious to cats.

Turns out this is a very, very bad idea.
Improperly storing and handling pet food can result in foodborne illnesses, including salmonella, just as it can with human food, according to the US Food and Drug Administration. So while I'm busy reading labels and fretting about pet food recalls, I could have been poisoning my animals all on my own.

FYI: Leftover wet food should be either promptly discarded or stored in a refrigerator set at 40 degrees.

Apparently, we pet people also can pick up salmonella ourselves by improperly handling our animals' meals. Here are some tips from the FDA, which is stepping up its education campaign on pet foods and foodborne illness:

* Purchase products in good condition; cans should not be dented, bags should not have tears or holes.
* Wash your hands in hot water, with soap, for 20 seconds BEFORE and after handling pet food and treats.
* Wash pet food bowls, dishes and scooping utensils with soap and hot water after each use, and don't use bowls as a food scoop.
* Try to store dry food in its original bag in a clean plastic container with a lid, keeping the top of the bag folded closed.

Click here for more pet food handling safety tips from the FDA, and for a fact sheet on protecting yourself and your pet when preparing and feeding a raw diet -- which is particularly tricky.

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The Fourth of July may be one of your favorite summer holidays. But it might not be so fabulous for your four-legged friends.

Noise is the hallmark of Independence Day celebrations, but the "bombs bursting in air" can be highly stressful to some dogs and cats. Common reactions may be: Shaking and trembling, drooling, barking or howling, trying to hide, refusal to eat. Some may even lose bladder or bowel control. Does this sound like a good time to you?

So if you are heading out to a park or large public fireworks display -- consider leaving your pets at home. They'll be grateful.

Keep reading for some more advice from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Broward County Animal Care and Regulation Division on how you AND your pet can have a happy holiday:

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