It's Not Just Pit Bulls; Snow Dogs

Although people keep sending it to us, we've refrained from publishing much on attacks by pit bulls, first because pit bulls, properly trained, can make good pets, and second because it's not just pit bulls who need to be leashed. So here's a sad story about a dog from another breed. It's just another piece of our proof that members of the public who don't have dogs or who leash their dogs in public should not have to subject themselves to the risk caused by those who let their dogs run loose.

* * *

And here's a picture, from the Brooklyn Paper, of an unleashed dog frolicking in or near the woods in Prospect Park, where dogs must always be leashed. Didn't we see advice that dogs should never be let loose anywhere near a wooded area? An email forwarded to us, apparently from the Prospect Park Alliance:

02/16/10
The Prospect Park Alliance was recently informed by the Department
of Health that a raccoon has tested positive for rabies in
Brooklyn - the first raccoon ever to have rabies in this borough.
The raccoon was found in Boerum Hill near State & Nevins Streets -
not far from the Atlantic Center. See NY Health Department
"positive animals tests": www.nyc.gov/ html/doh/ html/cd/cdrab-
borough.shtml .
Rabid Raccoons have been found in Central Park over the past few
months; now one has tested positive not far from Prospect Park.

Raccoons travel rapidly through back yards, so it may only be a
matter of time before they arrive in neighborhoods adjacent to the
park itself. Know that rabies is not an immediate threat to those
who have vaccinated their dogs; those who keep track of their dogs
while off-leash.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO...

DO KEEP SHOTS UP TO DATE. If a rabid animal bites your dog, the
Health Department requires re-vaccination within 3 days with
rabies vaccine and confinement for a 45 day period in the owners
home. If not vaccinated or not up to date there are two mandatory
options; either euthanize immediately or place the pet in
quarantine for 6 months at a veterinary facility (this is very
costly).

OPEN MEADOWS are the best place to exercise your dogs. Avoid the
wooded areas even on-leash. Be suspicious of raccoon encounters
that are either aggressive or unusually friendly especially in
daylight hours. Report such encounters to 311 immediately. If you
or your dog is bitten, call 911!

SPREAD THE WORD to anyone who keeps a dog in a back yard; a dog
who does not come out to the park. Once bitten, a backyard dog
becomes a danger to its own family as well as neighboring dogs and
cats.

EVERY HUMAN IS SUSCEPTIBLE. The Department of Health has warning
language for both pets and owners here: www.nyc.gov/ html/doh/
html/cd/cdrab- faq.shtml

[Italics added.]