Whether dealing with a household pet or livestock on the farm, animal owners tend to be familiar with cues animals give about their behavior.
“Sometimes owners assume other people know how to behave around animals,” said Thad Means, claims adjuster at Grinnell Mutual. “Don’t let someone get close to an animal if they are not used to it.”
The way you act may cause an animal to bite you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cautions people against panicking, making loud noises, making direct eye contact, or running away from animals, especially dogs. Remain calm, move slowly, face the animal at an angle, and wait for it to back away.
“If you know people are coming to your property, consider locking your animals up,” said Linda Landers, claims adjuster at Grinnell Mutual.
Spaying and neutering your pets may help them to be less aggressive, according to the CDC. You should keep up-to-date with the appropriate vaccinations for the health of your pets and the safety of those who may come into contact with them.
If a bite occurs
If an animal bites you or someone else, the CDC recommends that you first calm and reassure the bite victim. Care for the bite as you would other wounds. Apply pressure if there is bleeding. Clean the wound with soap and water then cover it with a clean bandage. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after treating the wound.
Animal bites can cause a number of diseases including rabies and tetanus. If the bite breaks the skin, see a doctor within 24 hours. Call animal control if the animal behaves oddly, is stray or wild, or if you do not know whether it has had a rabies vaccination.
For more information
For more information about animal bite prevention, visit “Healthy Pets Healthy People” from the CDC. For more information about safety at home or on the farm, visit the Front Porch Blog on grinnellmutual.com.
The information included in this publication was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, however Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company and its employees make no guarantee of results and assume no liability in connection with any training, materials, suggestions or information provided. It is the user’s responsibility to confirm compliance with any applicable local, state or federal regulations. Information obtained from or via Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company should not be used as the basis for legal advice or other advice, but should be confirmed with alternative sources.