Pima Animal Care Center Reports Significant Decrease in Dog Bites: A Shift Towards Lifesaving Practices
TUCSON, Ariz. — A recent report from the Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) has shed light on the safety of the community regarding dog bites, revealing a promising trend: a 22% decrease in bites across Pima County since 2010. This significant reduction highlights the effectiveness of PACC’s evolving practices and its commitment to creating a safer environment for both animals and humans.
A Historical Perspective on Dog Bites
In 2010, PACC faced a daunting challenge, taking in 25,204 animals and reporting approximately 3,000 dog bites. At that time, euthanasia was a common response to incidents involving bites, driven by the belief that any dog that had bitten should be put down to ensure community safety. Monica Dangler, the PACC Director, reflected on this approach, stating, “There is a school of thought out there that any animal that has ever bitten anybody for any reason should lose their life, and that will create a safer community.”
However, this perspective began to shift around 2014 as PACC adopted a more compassionate and analytical approach to understanding dog behavior and bite incidents.
Changing Practices: Understanding the Cause
The transformation at PACC involved a fundamental change in how they viewed and managed dogs that had bitten. Instead of resorting to euthanasia, the center began to assess each case individually. Dangler explained, “We look at them as an individual. We look at the bite. Why it occurred, how it occurred? Was it a provoked bite? Were the people doing something that would cause that dog to bite? Was it normal dog behavior?”
This nuanced approach has proven effective. Last year, PACC reported only 113 bites, with most incidents attributed to kennel stress rather than aggressive behavior. The implementation of dog training and handling protocols has been crucial in minimizing risks and ensuring safe interactions between staff and animals.
A New Standard for Bite Incidents
Under the new guidelines, bites are no longer automatic grounds for euthanasia unless they are severe. Instead, PACC has established a thorough process for handling bite incidents. Dangler elaborated, “We do a bite report. That dog would go into quarantine for 10 days. During that time, we start looking through the history of the dog, and we look at the pieces surrounding that bite.” This careful examination allows for a better understanding of the circumstances leading to the bite, fostering a more informed response.
The overall trend in Pima County mirrors PACC’s findings, with dog bites decreasing from 2,936 in 2010 to 2,584 last year. Dangler noted that many of these incidents are human-caused, which underscores the importance of educating pet owners about responsible animal care.
Empowering Pet Owners with Education
PACC recognizes that education is key to preventing bites and ensuring successful adoptions. The center provides resources and support to individuals who adopt or foster animals with a bite history. Dangler mentioned the volunteer group, Top Dogs, which assists with training issues, and the provision of dog crates to help manage dogs safely at home.
“The education people receive up front is why they don’t see many animals returned to PACC for bites,” Dangler stated, emphasizing the importance of equipping pet owners with the knowledge and tools they need to create a safe environment for their pets.
Conclusion: A Lifesaving Community
The Pima Animal Care Center’s report is a testament to the positive changes in animal welfare practices over the past decade. By prioritizing understanding and education over punitive measures, PACC has fostered a community that values the lives of animals while ensuring public safety. As the center continues to evolve and adapt, the hope is that the trend of decreasing dog bites will persist, creating a safer and more compassionate environment for both pets and people in Pima County.
For those interested in exploring the full report, it can be found HERE.
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