Bite Victim Support
Courtney Trempe Memorial Fund for Dog Bite Victim Support
The Courtney fund was created to honour the memory of 8-year old Courtney Trempe who was killed by a neighbour's dog in 1998. The fund is administered by Doggone Safe and provides support for child victims of dog attacks and their families. Click here for more information.
My child was bitten - what do I do?
You may find it helpful to follow the steps on this page if you or your child has been bitten by a dog. Click here.
The Importance of Trauma Counseling for You or Your Child
It is critically important that your child be assessed to see if trauma counseling is indicated. Many children suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after a dog bite. Read articles and learn other information about PTSD. Click here.
Dog Bite Victim Support Groups
If you are a dog bite victim or the immediate family member of a dog bite victim then you may want to join the Doggone Safe victim support group to get help and support from others who are in a similar circumstance. Click here
Our Spokesperson Kaylin Roberson
Our spokesperson Kaylin Roberson was bitten in the face by the family dog when she was only 9 years old. The long recovery, facial scarring and bullying that she suffered did not stop her from achieving her dream of being a professional singer. Kaylin wants to help others with her messages of hope and inspiration to keep going for your dreams! Read Kaylin`s Story here
PLS CHECK OUT OUR GOOGLE COMMUNITY DOG LOVERS ANONYMOUS
https://plus.google.com/communities/101901592383388428295
Dog Attacks
It is an offence under the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 for a dog to attack or harass a person or animal.
Harassment is defined as a dog troubling or annoying a person without being the primary cause of physical injury i.e. the dog may chase a person or animal but not bite them. Attack is defined as a dog acting with force or harmfully resulting in physical injury such as bruising, puncture wounds or laceration.
If you or your dog is attacked by another dog, once you are safe, try to get as many details as you can about the dog. Note the colour, size, breed, markings and collar colour of the dog and take a photo if safe. If possible, note the registration disc number and council registered at, the owner’s details and any witnesses. Council will also require the date, time and location of the harassment or attack. It is important to report the attack to the local council as soon as possible.
In the case of a serious attack where you or your dog has been injured you should also call the police who are authorised under the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 and can provide immediate assistance in an emergency. It is important that medical or veterinary assistance is sought as soon as possible*.
Councils can investigate dog harassments and attacks and impose penalties and controls on the dog owner as appropriate. The more information you can provide the Council, the more likely it is that they will be able to identify the owner and the dog that harassed or attacked you. Council may request copies of any medical assistance required as a result of the attack. In some instances, Council Officers may ask to take photographic evidence.
Claims for damages are addressed as a civil matter. Councils are unable to facilitate any compensation to the victims.
What should I do if my dog harasses or attacks a person or an owned animal?
Under the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995, as the owner of, or person responsible for the dog you are liable if your dog harasses, attacks or chases a person or an animal or bird owned or in the charge of another person. There are exceptions to the offence.
If you are present at the incident, restrain your dog if safe to do so. You have a duty of care of others, so check their welfare and support them to access the services they require*.
Councils have set procedures for the investigation of dog harassment and attack reports. It is important you cooperate with the council’s investigation.
You may wish to consider informing the source of the dog of the incident as this information may result in different selection of breeding dogs, temperament testing alterations, etc.
*It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 1985 for an owner or a person who caused harm to fail to take reasonable steps to mitigate harm suffered by the animal.
What orders can councils place on my dog if it chases, harasses or attacks?
Council may place a control order (nuisance, menacing or dangerous) on the dog to reduce the risk of repeat chase, harassment or attack, making it a safer dog for the community with your active participation.
Control order requirements may include, but not limited to, desexing, microchipping, securely enclosed on property, wearing a specific collar, wearing a muzzle in public, remaining under physical restraint in public, warning signs on the property and completion of specified training.
In the incident of a serious attack the council may consider placing a destruction order on the dog.
Council may also issue expiations applicable under the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995.
If the dog is already subject to a control order, council may consider escalating the control order or refer to the Magistrates Court.
http://www.gooddogsa.com/dog-attacks
THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION REJECTS BSL
American Bar Association (ABA) urges repeal of all breed-specific laws Posted on August 7, 2012 by admin On Monday, August 6, 2012, the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates, meeting at the 2012 ABA convention in Chicago, approved a resolution urging “all state, territorial, and local legislative bodies and governmental agencies [. . .] to repeal breed discriminatory or breed specific provisions.” This comprehensive recommendation is accompanied by an extensive report detailing the legion of problems associated with breed specific regulation, including significant questions of due process; waste of government resources[i]; documented failure to produce safer communities[ii]; enforcement issues connected with identifying the dogs to be regulated or seized[iii]; and infringement of property rights. The complete resolution and accompanying report can be read by clicking here. The American Bar Association (ABA), founded in 1878, considers itself to be the world’s largest voluntary professional organization, with some 400,000 members. In addition to being dedicated to accrediting the nation’s law schools and providing practical resources for legal professionals, the ABA prides itself in working to improve the administration of justice. In addition to urging repeal of all breed specific regulations, Resolution 100 endorses “breed-neutral dangerous dog/reckless owner laws that ensure due process protections for owners, encourage responsible pet ownership and focus on the behavior of both individual dog owner and dogs[.]“[iv] With the passage of Resolution 100, the ABA adds its name to the long list of national organizations opposed to breed specific regulation, including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the National Animal Control Association (NACA), the association of animal services professionals charged with enforcing the nation’s animal ordinances.[v] SOURCES: American Bar Association (ABA). Resolution 100. (August 2012). [Text of Adopted Resolution and Report] Accessed at: http://www.abanow.org/2012/06/2012am100/ Cassens-Weiss, Debra. Annual Meeting of the ABA House of Delegates. (August 6, 2010). Pit Bull Bias? ABA House OKs Resolution Urging Breed-Neutral Dog Laws. ABA Journal. Accessed at: http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/pit_bull_bias_aba_house_oks_resolution_urging_breed-neutral_dog_laws/ NOTES [i] See: Best Friends Animal Society’s Breed Discriminatory Law (BDL) Fiscal Impact Calculator. [ii] See these additional NCRC Commentaries, as well: The Worldwide Failure of Breed-specific Legislation; Denver: Selective Counting and the Cost to People and Pets; Maryland’s Experience: the Public Record and the Tracey v Solesky Ruling; Miami-Dade County: No Positive Results; Dog Breed-Specific Legislation: The Cost to people, pets and veterinarians, and the damage to the human-animal bond (AVMA Convention, July 11 – 14, 2009 Seattle, Washington), and Sioux City Breed Ban Misses the Mark. Additional commentaries are accessible here. [iii] See also: A Comparison of Visual and DNA Identification of Breeds of Dogs, by Victoria L. Voith, PhD, DVM, DACVB. Published in Proceedings of Annual American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Convention, July 11-14, 2009 Seattle, WA. (See also: Voith, V., Ingram, E., Mitsouras, K., & Irizarry, K. (July 2009). Comparison of Adoption Agency Identification and DNA Breed Identification of Dogs. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. 12(3). 253-262.) A poster illustrating the project, which was presented at ACVB/AVSAB July 2010 can be viewed here. Also refer to “Dog breed identification is no basis for shelter policy,” an NCRC commentary on a study report and poster authored by Kimberly R. Olson, BS and Julie K. Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, of the Maddie’s®Shelter Medicine Program, University of Florida and Bo Norby, CMV, MPVM, PhD, of the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University. The poster can be viewed here. [iv] See also NCRC’s ‘Responsible Pet Ownership’ information. Click here to open these webpages. [v] See also CDC and AVMA statements on this subject by clicking here. Click here to view the NACA statement regarding breed-specific legislation (which can be read under the section heading ‘Extended Animal Control Concerns’). Also see this NCRC report summarizing a recent AVMA Task Force Report (AVMA Animal Welfare Division. (17 April 2012) The Welfare Implications of the Role of Breed in Dog Bite Risk and Prevention.) for additional reference: ‘Pit Bull’ Regulation Not a Basis for Dog Bite Prevention.
American Veterinary Medical Association: National Dog Bite Prevention Week Landing Page
Positively Victoria Stilwell: Born and raised in Wimbledon, England, Victoria Stilwell is one of the world's most recognized and respected dog trainers. She is best known for her role as the star of Animal Planet's hit TV series It's Me or the Dog, through which she is able to share her insight and passion for positive reinforcement dog training. She joins Prevent The Bite as a coalition member for National Dog Bite Prevention Week, along with the American Veterinary Medical Association, U.S. Postal Service, American Academy of Pediatrics, Insurance Information Institute, State Farm Insurance, American Humane Association and the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, the third week in May.
American Academy of Pediatrics: What You Should Know About Dog Bite Prevention handout (PDF)
American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Excellent information, as well as children’s activity sheets.
Fresh Start Surgical Gifts: Fresh Start Surgical Gifts provides free reconstructive plastic surgery and related medical services to disadvantaged children and young people with physical deformities.
State Farm Insurance: “Don't worry, they won't bite.” Also, request “Fido, friend or foe?” coloring book through State Farm.
American Kennel Club: learn about breeds, breeders and more.
Dog Bite Law: A bounty of information regarding legal aspects of dog bites.
Sue Sternberg: Sue is an expert in dog aggression and an innovator in the field of shelter dog welfare.
Online Dog Bite Victim Support Group: Support for the victim and family of the victim of a dog attack.
Insurance Information Institute: The Insurance Information Institute has excellent information regarding homeowners insurance liability. Learn how to protect yourself - and your assets.
A Terrible Thing Happened (Book)
A story for children who have witnessed violence or trauma. 32 Pages.
By Margaret M. Holmes Illustrated by Cary Pillo. An afterward for parents and other caregivers offers extensive suggestions for helping traumatized children, including a list of other sources that focus on specific events.
Living with Kids and Dogs...Without Losing Your Mind: By Colleen Pelar, CPDT, CDBC Winner of the Humane Society of the United States Compassionate Care Award. This easy-to-read guide includes, among other things:
• Specific advice for each stage of your child's life
• Tips for choosing the right dog for your family
• Strategies for avoiding common problems
2013 Dog Bite Reports: Information on several reports compiled by the CDC and other sources on dog bites over the past several years.
2013 Dog Bite Statistics: Statistics regarding dog bites within the US.
Endorsement: Various endorsements from individuals who have used or attended our programs.
Safety Tips: Dog safety tips from our activity book.
link..... http://www.preventthebite.org/resources.html
