Most people think of themselves as animal lovers. In fact, according to the Insurance Information Institute, 60.2% of American families have a dog, and more than 47% have a cat. Not to mention reptiles, birds and other large mammals! Although animals play a big role in our lives, different triggers can cause animals to attack.
In 2017, the influx of roaming dogs in San Antonio, Texas, became a problem for the US Postal Service [USPS]. In the news segment of KENS5, it is reported that San Antonio ranks 11th in the US in the dog attack of postal workers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also tell us that men and children are more likely to be attacked by dogs.
Prevention is key: animals usually send a warning signal before the attack. Roaring, squatting, arching, and lowering the ear are just signals that animals give us when we feel threatened.
For dogs: Don't approach unknown dogs, don't touch your eyes, and slowly return.
For cats: Walk away when they start showing aggressiveness [ie, raised hair, bow back, beating tail, etc.]. Give the animal a chance to calm down before trying to interact with it.
Wildlife: Keep calm, make yourself look bigger than you, and then slowly recede. Never escape wild animals; this may trigger the instinct they pursue.
Safety: Place as much distance as possible between the victim and the animal. Use items such as your body, clothes or wallet or backpack to prevent animals from attacking vulnerable areas such as the neck and face.
Assessment: Depending on the animal and the vaccination opportunity, you may or may not need medical assistance. If the wound is not too deep, the animal has been vaccinated in the past 364 days and you are the latest tetanus vaccine. You can safely wash the area with soap and water, use antibiotic ointment when you are injured, and wrap it up. If the injury turns red, painful or swollen, seek medical help.
Know when to get help: If the victim has a deep wound, has too much bleeding, has a fever, or is attacked by an unvaccinated animal last year, get medical attention immediately. Many animals carry harmful diseases that can cause infection and in some cases can even lead to death.
Orignal From: Once bitten: what do you do when the animal bites?
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