Dog child attacks highlight lack of training
Hospitals have warned about an increasing number of children attacked by pet dogs, citing poor treatment of the animals as the main problems.
Because of their height, most of the injuries are on the children's face and upper chest. On January 3, a child in Dak Lak Province had his nose and a part of the cheek cut off from a dog attack while his mother was in the kitchen. He was transferred to Children's Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City to attach the nose but doctors said his chance to recover was 50%.
On January 7, a child in Dong Nai Province was almost killed by two dogs. Meanwhile, a child died at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City because of multiple injuries.
Recently, a 5-year-old child in Hanoi had his ear torn and a 3-year-old child in Ho Chi Minh City suffered from multiple injuries after being attacked by their pet dogs. In both cases, the children unknowingly aggravated the dogs.
Dr Nguyen Tuan Nhu at Children's Hospital 1 said those injuries were one of the worst because bacteria in dogs' saliva can easily cause infection and necrosis.
Vi Thao Nguyen, the founder of the Yeu Dong Vat (Animal Lovers) Foundation, said some dogs might have physical and psychological issues and their owners must understand their problems in order to take better care of them. According to Nguyen, it's best to use muzzles in public to keep both dogs and people safe.
Parents should not leave children alone with dogs as children often have unconscious provocative actions such as pulling the dogs' tail, trying to ride on them or hitting the dogs. Noisy environment and sudden laughters may also surprise and make the dogs stressful.
Dang Huy Huynh, Chairman of the Vietnam Zoological Society, said Vietnam only has quarantine agencies and a lack of management over dog training and pet raising. In other countries, the owners must be able to prove the dogs' origin, medical records and their responsibilities over the dogs.
Huynh said Vietnam needs tighter management regulations, especially over dog breeds that are considered to have aggressive traits.
Because of their height, most of the injuries are on the children's face and upper chest. On January 3, a child in Dak Lak Province had his nose and a part of the cheek cut off from a dog attack while his mother was in the kitchen. He was transferred to Children's Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City to attach the nose but doctors said his chance to recover was 50%.
On January 7, a child in Dong Nai Province was almost killed by two dogs. Meanwhile, a child died at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City because of multiple injuries.
Recently, a 5-year-old child in Hanoi had his ear torn and a 3-year-old child in Ho Chi Minh City suffered from multiple injuries after being attacked by their pet dogs. In both cases, the children unknowingly aggravated the dogs.
Dr Nguyen Tuan Nhu at Children's Hospital 1 said those injuries were one of the worst because bacteria in dogs' saliva can easily cause infection and necrosis.
A little boy is being treated at Children's Hospital 1 after a dog attack
Vi Thao Nguyen, the founder of the Yeu Dong Vat (Animal Lovers) Foundation, said some dogs might have physical and psychological issues and their owners must understand their problems in order to take better care of them. According to Nguyen, it's best to use muzzles in public to keep both dogs and people safe.
Parents should not leave children alone with dogs as children often have unconscious provocative actions such as pulling the dogs' tail, trying to ride on them or hitting the dogs. Noisy environment and sudden laughters may also surprise and make the dogs stressful.
Dang Huy Huynh, Chairman of the Vietnam Zoological Society, said Vietnam only has quarantine agencies and a lack of management over dog training and pet raising. In other countries, the owners must be able to prove the dogs' origin, medical records and their responsibilities over the dogs.
Huynh said Vietnam needs tighter management regulations, especially over dog breeds that are considered to have aggressive traits.
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