Bite campaign puts onus on owners
Shirley Lannon, a Canada Post delivery worker, was never afraid of dogs.
But that changed in April 2012. While delivering mail to a house in the Dovercourt neighbourhood, Lannon was attacked by two dogs, receiving vicious bites on her wrists so deep she was sent to hospital.
Lannon needed stitches, had to wear casts on both arms and missed two months of work. She was traumatized, and said the healing process is ongoing.
“The emotional impact was devastating,” Lannon said.
On Thursday, representatives of the City of Edmonton, Canada Post, Epcor, and several local pet organizations gathered in the Hazeldean neighbourhood to promote responsible dog ownership and National Dog Bite Awareness Week.
Keith Scott, the city coordinator for animal care and control, said about 400 incidents of dog bites were reported in 2012. He believes hundreds of cases aren’t reported.
Scott said a majority of the incidents could have been prevented through responsible dog ownership. The city recommends that owners give their dogs training from a qualified trainer, learn to recognize warning signs that their dog may attack, and not put their dogs in situations where they may be prone to biting. Representatives also urged parents to educate young children on how to be safe around dogs.
“The key to bite prevention is, first, to understand that every dog has the potential to bite,” said Shawna Randolph of the Edmonton Humane Society.
Almost 30 per cent of the dogs at the Edmonton Humane Society are surrendered by their owners because of behavioural issues, including biting and aggression.
Randolph said it is “heartbreaking” to see so many dogs admitted to the shelter as a result of behavioural issues. Responsibility for a dog’s aggression, she said, should fall on the owner.
“Owners need to know their dogs, know their body language, how their dog thinks.”
Edmonton has recently changed legislation to acknowledge the responsibility dog owners have for their dogs. In October, the city removed a strict bylaw that forced pit bulls to be leashed and muzzled whenever outdoors. Experts said the best way to prevent aggression was not breed restrictions, but better education for dogs and owners.
Lannon said her traumatic experience could have been easily prevented. When she was attacked, the dog owner had left her front door open, letting the two dogs free to run at her.
“Owners need to know their dogs and make sure they are responsible and careful with them,” Lannon said.