Health Topic
Updated: 05/15/2008

STAY SAFE AROUND ANIMALS

Learning about staying safe around animals is important so that you can help protect yourself and others and because your health or the health of another may depend on it.

Every year in the United States many people, especially children, are bitten by animals. An animal bite may seriously injure someone and in some cases may result in death. Anyone can be attacked by an animal, but children, joggers, delivery personnel, bicyclists, law enforcement and animal control officers, and pedestrians are especially at risk.

Animals, including both domesticated pets and wild animals, may attack for a variety of reasons. It is important to remember that an animal will always protect its owners, property, territory, and offspring. Animals may attack if they:

• feel threatened or teased
• are in pain or are injured
• are surprised
• are interrupted while sleeping or eating
• are over- stimulated from playing

Some animals may attack if they are bred to be vicious and aggressive or for no obvious reason.

Never approach an animal if:

• it is fighting with another animal
• it is eating or drinking
• it is sick or injured
• when it has babies

Always remember to treat an animal with respect by never teasing, hurting, scaring, or mistreating them.

It is very important to learn to read the WARNING SIGNS an animal may give to indicate there is potential for an attack.

These signs may include, but are not limited to:

Aggressive Posture:
wrinkled nose
ears are erect
hair standing up
glaring eyes
stiff legs
teeth bared
growling, snarling, or barking
tail is up and stiff or between legs

Fearful Posture:
tail hangs down or falls between legs
ears are pressed back
body is positioned in a crouch
head is down

Please remember that an animal with a wagging tail is not necessarily friendly

If you are threatened by an animal remember to:

• Stay CALM
• Stand STILL
• Do Not Run or Scream
• Speak Firmly (but do not yell)-
  • No, Sit, Stay, or Down
• Slowly back away
• Shield yourself-
• Hold a package or backpack in front of you

If bitten by an animal:

• Immediately wash the wound with water

If a dog or cat bites you-

• Get the owner’s name, address, and
  telephone number
• Ask for proof of rabies vaccination
• Write down owner’s information,
  a general description of the animal,
  and the rabies tag number

Wild Animals

Leave all wild animals alone and do not attempt to capture them or keep as pets. A good rule of thumb: Wild once, always wild.

If a wild animal bites you or causes some type of superficial wound it is very important to take all necessary precautions to prevent further attacks. It is also very important that you note what type of animal attacked you and where it was last seen. It is imperative that you seek appropriate medical attention if you have been wounded in any capacity by a wild animal.

Contact the Bethlehem Health Bureau and/or the Bethlehem Police Department to have the animal captured and tested for rabies.

Bethlehem Health Bureau: (610) 865-7083
Monday thru Friday 8:00a.m.- 4:30p.m.

Bethlehem Police Non-Emergency: (610) 865-7187
After hours, weekends, and holidays

For information on Rabies please visit:
http://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/health/communicable/rabies.htm

For more information on animal safety please contact the Bethlehem Health Bureau