Guarding against dog bites

To the editor:

A recent letter to the editor correctly pointed out the need for pet owners to properly restrain and control their dogs, mentioning the avoidance of a dog bite as a factor. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimates there are more than 4 million dog-bite episodes in the United States each year. Seventy percent of dog bites involve an unaltered male dog.

An intact male dog is 2.6 times more likely to bite than an altered one.

Altering your pet not only avoids unwanted pet litters, it can help to avoid a dog bite and unwanted pet litigation. Please neuter or spay your pet today.

DAVID ROTH, President

Humane Society of Southeast Missouri