Using the motto: "Adoption is not the first option," the Assisi Animal Shelter in Jersey City, which serves much of Hudson County, offers public education to help people to become better pet owners.
When pet owners are better educated, there is a greater chance that they will experience fewer conflicts with the pets. If owners understand their animals better, they will try to resolve behavioral issues more creatively – not immediately discharge them to an adoption agency or to the street.
Assisi Center Executive Director Tom Hart said, "Nearly 900 animals were adopted during the past year, and this is a testament to the center’s ‘no-kill’ policy. The animals, most especially the dogs, come from every imaginable source and in every imaginable condition." Most are considered "unadoptable" because of age, breed, physical condition, or they are thought to have behavioral problems.
"These are wonderful animals, and most would have been put down after seven days in a traditional shelter," says Hart. "The problems for these animals is not of their doing, but are imposed on them by humans."
Assisi Staff Assistant Ed Lawson says, "I have learned that there is no such thing as an unadoptable animal. It just requires working diligently at finding the proper adoptive person."
Hart said, "It is wonderful that there is a nationwide increase in pet ownership – as long as people teach their pets appropriate interactive behavior with other people and animals."
The Assisi Center advises the following:
- When a utility worker, letter carrier, delivery person, or others arrive at your home, be sure that your dog is safely away from contact with that person. Remember, your dog will "protect" his family against strangers, even ones who intend no harm. If you must keep your dog in the same room, be sure that you have the animal leashed.
- Although delivery persons and utility service representatives seem to get the brunt of dog bites, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta notes that the overwhelming number of the 4.7 million persons bitten by dogs each year are bitten by their own pet, or that of a friend or neighbor. Obviously, proximity is a key and knowledge is the best way to prevent an incident.
PSE&G Public Affairs Manager Richard Dwyer said, "In 2000, PSE&G employees suffered 35 accidents due to dogs. So far, during 2001, PSE&G has had 18 such incidents. Employee safety is the priority, and we urge pet owners to keep their animals secure so PSE&G can provide better service to customers."
The U.S. Postal Service reported that were 2,725 dog bites in 2000, an increase of 184 over the previous year.
PSE&G customers can minimize animal contacts by placing the meter reading dial card in the window, enter their meter reading on-line, or by using the "record-a-reading" voice mail. For more information on these services, call (800) 436-7734.
Training of the animal is important. Beginning as young as six to eight weeks of age, your dog should be trained socially. Interaction with humans in varied situations establishes security in the dog and prevents the animal from being frightened easily.
"Dogs who bite do so out of fear or threat to self or family and, thus, a dog familiar with humans is less likely to feel so threatened," says Hart. "Children must be taught intensely that this four-legged family member is not a toy, but a living creature with needs and desires, who can be injured and who has feelings."
The single greatest prevention of dog bites is the education of humans about each partner in the relationship and the willingness to take good care of your pet to ensure its maximum physical and emotional health. It always should be remembered that even humankind’s "best friend" can bite the hand that feeds them – but that is only if the human does not know how to interact properly.
Personal interaction with an animal is vitally important. Hart advises that you learn your dog’s body language. They always give signals. If they ever surprise you, it’s because you haven’t been paying attention, Hart says. With new extended workdays, pet owners must remember the importance of exercise to the health of a pet, and must arrange schedules to permit appropriate and adequate play and exercise time.
Tips on preventing dog bites
Hart offered these additional tips:
- Provide proper training to the animal and to family members about respect for each other and social interactions.
- Wagging of the tail is generally perceived as a sign of happiness, but documented research shows that tail wagging actually is more often a sign of conflict. Do not necessarily mistake a wagging tail as a sign of friendship. Rather, pay close attention and learn what your dog is telling you.
- An animal that is afraid will cower, lower its ears, tuck in its tail, and often sit or lie down. A dog that rolls over onto its back is submitting since that is the canine position of submission. However, when a fearful animal crosses over into feeling threatened, it will assume an aggressive stance, giving an identifiable look of confrontation. It may also growl and often bare its teeth. From this point on, challenging or approaching the dog is a big mistake.
- In such a situation, remain as still as possible and remain that way until the animal begins to feel less threatened. Don’t move. Don’t stare at the dog. Eye contact is considered a challenge to the dog, a challenge you cannot win. You might speak softly and soothingly. The animal will let you know if that is working. Mostly, never ever start to run away. Running motivates the animal’s "chase instinct" and only makes the problem worse.
- When meeting an animal, especially a strange one, always hold out your hand, palm up, and allow the dog to approach you, take in your scent, and decide where you go from there. When petting, always stroke gently and with the flow of the fur or hair. Never approach a dog from above its head. Always come forward at his level and pet along the sides until he tells you that you may stroke under his chin or chest. Also, always keep away from places of injury or tenderness.
- "Let sleeping dogs lie." Never disturb a dog while it is sleeping, resting, eating, or chewing or playing with a toy. It’s an intrusion and can be perceived as a threat to the animal’s territory, property, family or security.
- Should you actually find yourself knocked down by a dog, assume a fetal position, knees up, elbows tucked, and hands covering your ears.
For more information, call the Assisi Center at 435-3557. The Center is located at 480 Johnston Ave. in Jersey City.