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Teach Children To Beware Of Bites
(NAPSA)-It's important for people to protect children from dog bites-even if a dog does
not have a history of biting.
Each year 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs, and 60
percent of the victims are children. Children are frequently bitten on the face, which can
result in severe lacerations, infection or scarring. If a child is severely bitten by a
dog, parents should ask the emergency room physician to call a plastic surgeon certified
by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ensuring the doctor is qualified to perform
reconstructive and cosmetic procedures on the face and all areas of the body).
Taking such a precaution helped 5-year-old Lauren Wirdzek,
who was bitten on the face by her aunt's terrier last Christmas Eve.
"It was a nightmare," says Judy Wirdzek, Lauren's
mother. "One minute Lauren and the dog were playing, then the dog had her by her
face, shaking her back and forth."
"This story is not uncommon," says Edward Luce, MD, president of the American
Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). "Plastic surgeons repair the results of thousands
of dog attacks each year. Parents should ask for a plastic surgeon because he or she has
the training to preserve and rearrange skin and tissue."
Months after the attack, Lauren is recovering. "Lauren
has scars under her eye and on her lower cheek, but soon she will have a scar reduction
procedure," says Wirdzek.
The ASPS offers these tips to help prevent dog attacks:
Parents Should:
* Never leave infants or children alone with a dog.
* Follow leash laws.
* Always supervise children when they play with dogs.
* Keep the family dog healthy-an unnoticed injury can make a dog
aggressive.
Also, remember that a dog is less likely to bite if its owners train it to interact with
people and take it to obedience classes.
Children Should:
* Never approach an unfamiliar dog.
* Never run from or scream at a dog.
* Tell an adult if they see a stray dog or a dog acting strangely.
* Never disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating or caring for its
puppies.
* Never play aggressive games with dogs.
For more information on dog bite prevention and to download the "Beware the
Bite!" children's activity sheet, visit www.plastic surgery.org. To find a
board-certified plastic surgeon and learn more about plastic surgery, visit the Web site,
or call 1-888-4-PLASTIC (1-888-475-2784).
It's important to teach children to treat dogs properly. |
