Our Observation

Too many people take the responsibility of pet ownership lightly.

Slight errors in judgment, such as leaving a front door open a moment too long or neglecting a faulty latch on an outdoor fence, can have disastrous consequences for four-legged friends.

On the loose, dogs are at risk of getting hit by a vehicle — putting themselves and the motorist in jeopardy. Even dogs without a history of aggressive behavior can be capable of attacking other dogs or people when let loose.

But it’s not just slight oversights that many pet owners are guilty of. So many people decide to forego a leash when taking their dogs outside or bring dogs with aggressive tendencies to dog parks.

Experts say that education is key to keeping our furry friends and us safe. An estimated 4.7 million dog bites occur annually, according to the American Humane Association. The Centers for Disease Control reported that 800,000 Americans seek medical attention for dog bites each year — half of whom are children. Of those, 386,000 go to the emergency room and about 16 die.

Simple steps can be taken to scale back the instances of dog attacks. About 92 percent of fatal dog attacks involved male dogs, 94 percent of whom were not neutered, according to the National Canine Research Foundation. In fact, the Humane Society of the U.S. reported that unneutered dogs were 2.6 times more likely to bite than neutered dogs.

Training and socializing a dog also reduces the risk for aggressive behavior. The American Humane Association says socialization with people and other animals is especially important for puppies between 8 and 16 weeks old. AHA also recommends restraining dogs with fences and leashes but not by tethering them, which can make them feel stressed and vulnerable.

More than 80 percent of dog bites treated in the emergency room involved children younger than 15, reported the CDC. Teaching a child how to properly play with dogs, supervising the child and dog when they are interacting and teaching a child how to approach dogs can dramatically reduce the risk of an attack.

The consequences of irresponsible pet ownership can go below the surface. A pet that’s been attacked may become skittish and the victim’s owner may develop a fear of dogs. A motorist who hits a loose dog who ran in front of the vehicle has to live with that accident for a lifetime, even if it wasn’t their fault.

Pet ownership is increasingly viewed as a right, not a privilege. But there are severe consequences when people do not take the time to educate themselves before becoming a pet parent. What it really boils down to is being a good neighbor. An essential piece of the healthy community puzzle is safe pets.