Local Animal Handlers Want You to Stay Safe from Dog Bites

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – There’s an entire week set aside to make sure people are aware of the dangers of dog bites.

National Dog Bite Awareness Week in May 19-25 and middle Georgia is no stranger to these kind of attacks.

Just in this year alone 41NBC has covered multiple dog attacks on a local and state level.

Adults and kids, some young as two, have been attacked by dogs.

According to a news release from insurance company State Farm, Georgia ranks number 9 for dog bite claims in the country.

Anne Brenneman is the founder of Macon Purrs and Paws. She says the pit bull breed gets a bad wrap in the public and parents should be aware of their children around all dogs.

“Children just run up and throw their arms around them and the parents say oh isn’t that sweet, no it’s not sweet when the dog takes half of your child’s face off,” Brenneman said.

Officials from the Macon-Bibb Animal Welfare center say don’t run away from a dog, be still.

They say spaying and neutering dogs would prevent a lot of stray animals and animal bites.