Kids and their furry friends

Victoria Clayton • E-mail

Over the years there have been many studies pointing to how beneficial it is for children to live with cats and dogs. Research has suggested that because of a pet’s love and companionship, children with cats and dogs tend to have good self-esteem, bond with their families more, miss less school, are more resilient under traumatic circumstances and are more social than non-owners.

We don’t need studies, though, to see that children are generally fascinated with animals. They usually love creatures — especially dogs and cats — and the creatures almost always love them back.

Except for the very rare case. We all heard of this exception last month in San Francisco when 12-year-old Nicholas Faibish was mauled to death by his family’s dogs.

Faibish's death is a heart-breaking example of what can happen when children and the wrong pets are mixed irresponsibly, according to Karen Spaulding, animal trainer for American Humane Association, an organization dedicated to preventing cruelty, abuse and neglect of children and animals. “The tragedy,” says Spaulding, "is that this could’ve been prevented.”

Keeping kids and pets safe
According to Spaulding and Laura Maloney, executive director of the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, there are some pretty clear rules that parents can follow when their children are around animals.

“Good pet safety is for the child’s protection as well as the cat's or dog’s protection,” says Maloney.

Cats are most likely to swat and scratch when provoked, which can lead to skin infections. But dogs, because of their size and strength, are usually of primary concern.

Foremost, children should use good dog etiquette with all dogs. Remember, even the nicest dog is an animal. Any animal is capable of nipping and biting if provoked. While a bite from a small dog will never be as serious as a bite from a large one, it’s not correct to single out any one breed — such as a pit bulls or Dobermans — as “the biters.” It’s a dog’s individual temperament, training and environment that matter, experts say.

“Even a Chihuahua can sink its little teeth into someone who is agitating it,” says Spaulding.

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