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page: Dog Bites
– Desert Animals
Did
you know that when a dog bites it is usually because they are scared or feel
threatened? Unlike us humans they can’t really tell people to stay away, so
they use growling and biting as a way to communicate that they want to be left
alone. Dog bites are painful and some
dogs carry a disease called rabies. If
you are bitten by a dog with rabies, you may have to get several shots to avoid
becoming sick. The best way to avoid
being bitten by a dog is to:
Do Not approach an unfamiliar dog.
Do Not run from a dog and scream.
Remain
motionless (e.g.,
"be still like a tree") when approached by an unfamiliar dog.
Do Not play with a dog unless supervised
by an adult.
Report stray dogs or dogs displaying
unusual behavior to an adult immediately.
Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.
Do Not
disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
If
you are knocked down or bitten by a dog:
Roll into a ball, covering your face
and neck with your hands and lie still.
Report a bite to an adult immediately.
Click on
the dog below for a fun dog safety activity:
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Creepy Crawlies in the
Desert 
Staying
safe during the summer also include protecting yourself from the many creepy
crawly critters that live in our desert.
Some of these
critters look scary but are mostly harmless, while others can be as dangerous
as they look! To avoid an unexpected meeting with desert creatures:
Never turn rocks or other objects over
with your hands.
Never reach into dark corners or areas
without checking for critters.
Never walk outside without shoes,
especially at night when most venomous desert animals venture out.
Never hike or walk through the desert
without protecting your lower extremities with boots and long pants.
Never tease or play with desert animals.
Tell an adult IMMEDIATELY if you are
bitten.
If you are
out walking or playing and you hear a rattling sound do the following:
Freeze! Do not move until you know
where the rattling sound is coming from.
Walk slowly AWAY from the sound until you are safely out of the way
Click on
the scorpion below to learn more about our desert critters
(Leaving City of Tucson site)
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