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When Man’s Best Friend Isn’t Friendly
Americans love dogs – we have 58 million. But untrained canines can be dangerous, and 5 million people are bitten in the U.S. each year. Larry
Lachman, an animal-behavior specialist and author of Dogs on the Couch, blames owners or breeders who don’t screen or train their dogs. (Owners can visit
The Association of
Pet Dog Trainers to find a certified trainer.) He says no breed is always aggressive, but those bred for guarding, sport-fighting or herding have higher risks. To avoid a bite:
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Never approach an unknown
dog
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Stay still if approached; running or screaming incites a
dog
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Don’t disturb a dog that’s eating, sleeping or caring for
puppies
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Don’t get a dog without letting it see and sniff you
first
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You can blame most dog bites on owners – but since you don’t know if a dog is trained, it’s smart to keep a
distance
New Stamps
Keep an eye out for the new Spay and Neuter stamps coming to post offices this fall. With millions of homeless animals euthanized each year, you can help spread the word on the importance of spaying and neutering your pets. Although our programs in the Commonwealth are successful, overpopulation is still a very crucial problem throughout the nation. So buy some stamps and start mailing your support!
For more information, log on to the U.S. Postal Service. For information on spaying and neutering your pets, contact the League at (617) 426-9170 or log on to
The Animal
Rescue League of Boston.
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