There are two kinds of parents in this world: those who love pets as much as their children, and those who do not want pets at all. It is easy to imagine why there are some who do not want pets around their children.
Dogs, despite having been domesticated for centuries, are still animals, and animals follow their hardwired instincts.
They could be as unpredictable as wild animals, and for this reason pet owners have about them a certain responsibility to make sure they’re safe.
READ: Getting a family dog: The dos and don’ts
Unfortunately, a Coloradan mother learned this the hard way when her children were mauled by Great Danes at a local breeding facility.
Great Danes are the world’s biggest breed, or at the very least the tallest. Despite their sizes, these gentle giants are docile and mild-mannered. However, vicious attacks by Great Danes are not uncommon.
The incident happened at El Passo county when the mother’ checked on her boss’s dogs at a Colorado breeding facility. She had taken her five children with her.
Her attention was somewhere else when screams of her children broke the silence. She checked on them and discovered that the Great Danes had attacked.
READ: 7 reasons why having a pet can make your child a better person
According to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Department, the extent of the injury was so severe that the children needed immediate medical attention.
Spokesperson Jacqueline Kirby said, “It looks like three [of five children] are going to have to undergo surgery.” She also revealed that they were bitten on the head and torso and possibly their extremities.
What to do when a dog attacks
Veterinarian Edward P. Buchanan highlights the importance of seeking treatment from professionals who hare skilled with these types of injuries.
“The vast majority of dog bites usually don’t need to be seen by a medical professional, especially if there was no skin disruption,” he said. “If, however, the skin was punctured, caregivers should seek medical attention.
Bacteria lives in dogs’ mouths that will enter open wounds, leading to infections days after the injury. Untreated, these infections can spread to other parts of the body.
“Most dog bites that result in skin damage should at least be seen in the emergency room, so they can be cleaned and a short course of antibiotics started.”
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