Are You On a Short Leash? Springtime Tips for Dog Owners
My-Dog.info > Dog Care
BOSTON, April 12 PRNewswire
Warm weather means more time outdoors -- and more chances to
play with your pets. And while walking your pooch on a sunny
Spring day is one of the great joys in life, it's important to
use care and caution when bringing your pet out of the house.
According to the Humane Society, about 40 percent of American
households own a dog. Many of these households also have
insurance policies that, to some extent, provide protection for
dog-related accidents. However, the New York based Insurance
Information Institute reported that in 1999 insurers paid out
over 1 billion dollars to cover claims for medical and liability
costs related to dog bites. In addition, industry sources report
that dog bites account for one-third of all homeowner insurance
liability claims. Amazingly over 70% of all attacks occur on the
owner's property, according to Time Magazine.
That's because dog bites are on the rise. In fact, the
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control reports that
the number of dog bites requiring medical attention jumped 37%
between 1986 and 1996. The national Humane Society reports that
there are as many as 3 million dog bites each year.
Predictably, there has been a sharp increase in premiums for
dog-related insurance protection, as well as tougher standards
imposed by insurance companies. In fact, many insurers are now
refusing to write coverage for owners of certain breeds. How can
you be sure that you and your pup are covered should a problem
arise? Here are a few tips:
Best of Breed?: Some insurers simply refuse
to provide coverage if you own a breed of dog deemed to be
"aggressive." While standards vary from company to
company, and from state to state, dogs that typically raise red
flags are the Akita, Chihuahua, Chow Chow, Cocker Spaniel,
Collie, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Pit Bull, and
Rottweiler.
Training and Prevention: The ways that you
train and care for your dogs can have a tremendous impact on
their behavior and increase your chances of purchasing
appropriate insurance. Here's some advice:
- Teach your dog to obey commands. -
- Try to make your dog comfortable with other dogs and
other people.
- In addition to training, a dog's disposition can be
altered through spaying and neutering. This is
particularly true for male dogs.
- Even on your own property, obey leash laws. According to
the Centers for Disease Control, most dog-related
fatalities involve unrestrained dogs.
- Keep your dog away from threatening or teasing
situations. Dogs react strongly to threats and taunts,
whether real or imagined. In fact, children who are not
experienced with pets are often attacked by dogs that
misinterpret their actions.
Remember, most homeowners policies do provide some level of
protection should your dog be involved in any unfortunate
incident. As the owner, however, you must do your part to make
sure you never need that protection. Train your pet properly,
obey all laws and regulations, and use caution and common sense
when bringing your dog outdoors.
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