Hunting is not for Everyone

I wanted to post this information here today, since fall is very much upon us.... And while we all think of the wonderful and exciting things that fall brings with it, (the leaves changing colors, the crisp, cool air, Halloween and Trick-or-Treating, Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner) we also need to remember the OTHER things fall has to offer. Fall also brings with it deer hunting season, and with this, we need to be sure we are keeping our pets safe. While there are many responsible hunters out there who take the necessary precautions for safe hunting, there are the select few who can make it very dangerous.

The reason I write this? On Saturday, we had a dog come into our clinic with an arrow THROUGH his shoulder. The dog belongs to one of my fellow CVTs. He is recovering from his ordeal, (a MAJOR surgery and 'round-the-clock post-operative care) but not without a lot of angst. He was shot while on the property of a neighbor's, and while this may have been an accident (and it most certainly could have been done on purpose), it certainly was something that could have been fatal. Luckily, the arrow missed all of his major organs and arteries. This is something that could have easily been prevented, had the hunters been more careful in identifying what they were shooting at. The dog should have been kept closer to home also, but he has been able to roam (along with everyone else's dogs in the area) the entire time that he has lived there with no problems of this type occurring in the past. This could have easily been another person that had been shot (had the owners been walking through the woods with the dog at the time, as they often do.) The bottom line is this: PLEASE be aware of your pet's whereabouts, especially during the hunting season. If you take your dog hunting with you, please be sure to put a brightly colored vest on him/her to avoid accidental shootings. Hunters, please take all of the necessary precautions in handling your weapons and identifying prey so that accidental shootings do not occur (of dogs OR humans). And please be prepared in case something should happen - make sure to have a first aid kit with you, prepared especially for your four-legged friend. Talk to your local vet about preparing a first aid kit. In addition, it is a good idea to have your pet microchipped or attired with a GPS collar in case you should become separated.

Let's keep our pets safe this season by keeping these important safety tips in mind!