Teach your children the following basic rules of safety around dogs:
Never approach an unfamiliar dog.
Remember that not every dog that wags its tail is friendly.
Always ask the owner's permission before petting a dog.
Always approach dogs slowly and carefully.
When meeting a new dog, let it come to you and smell you first.
Know where the dogs in your neighborhood live.
Keep away from stray dogs.
Never run from a dog and scream.
Remain calm and motionless when approached by an unfamiliar dog (e.g., "be still like a tree").
Always protect your face, neck and arms.
If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still (e.g., "be still like a log").
If you're attacked, give the dog a book or backpack to chew on. Cover your head and neck, and protect your face. •
Never play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.
Immediately report stray dogs or dogs displaying unusual behavior to an adult.
Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.
Do not disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
Do not make loud noises around dogs.
Do not ever tease a dog.
Never reach through a fence to pet a dog.
Never put your hand between two dogs.
Never put your face close to a dog.
Never try to help a hurt dog; get an adult to help.
If you do not have permission, never enter a yard with a dog in it. Better yet, wait for the owner to enter the yard with you.
Never leave a baby alone with a dog.
If bitten, immediately report the bite to an adult.
M. Stukey
Riley County Humane Society
P.O. Box 1202 Manhattan, KS 66505
info@rchsks.org