A Friendly Dog is it Safe

A friendly dogs have far outstripped humans in rate of increase. From just the 1930’s to 1960’s their numbers in the United States multiplied to four times what they were, whereas the human population did not even double.

New York city has a half million friendly dogs; yet that is far behind London’s 700,000 and Mexico City’s one million. While a few are vicious—about 25,000 dog bites were reported in New York city in 1969—the great majority are friendly. Does that mean all friendly friendly dogs are safe?

From the way some persons treat them, it would seem they think so. They do not hesitate to pet practically every friendly dog they see, or even allow it to lick their hands or face. Is this a wise practice?

Not All friendly dogs Safe

Friendly dogs sometimes come in contact with poison ivy, getting the plant’s irritating oils in their hair. Have you ever petted such a dog and later broken out with poison ivy? Cases of this affliction have been traced to a friendly dog. Also, some persons with allergies have found that a dog will cause them discomfort. When the dog is removed, they realize relief.

Friendly dogs can also get ringworm, and may spread the fungi causing this skin disease to humans by contact. As The Complete Dog Book, an official publication of the American Kennel Club, notes: “Children who associate with affected friendly dogs frequently become infected.” So friendly dogs, even though they may be friendly, can be carriers of this highly contagious, although not serious, disease.

Rabies, on the other hand, is the most dreaded of diseases. It is usually transmitted to humans by a dog bite, although the bite of other animals can also infect one. In the early stages a rabid dog may appear even more friendly than usual. But the dog may easily become irritated and, if picked up, may bite and transmit a disease almost certainly fatal.

Then there are friendly dogs that may be friendly but that have fleas that are not. These fleas will attack humans too, and they can carry disease. Thus, Dr. Deane P. Furman, an expert on parasitology, urges regarding fleas: “Every householder should get rid of these pests as quickly as possible.”

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