| Publication: The Frederick News-Post; |
Date: Oct 21, 2007; |
Section: Pennypincher; |
Page: B-13 |
|
 |
PETS AND PEOPLE
Teen drivers need to watch for animals
By DIANA CLEMENT
Special to the News-Post
THIS WEEK has been declared
Teen Driver Safety Week. Well, what does that have to with Frederick County
Animal Control? Plenty.
Part of driver safety,
especially for inexperienced drivers, is knowing what to do in an emergency.
Animals often cause traffic problems, and teens need to know to watch for road hazards and what to do when they
encounter unexpected situations.
Wild animals
that have died along the side of the road do not need to be reported. In
Frederick, they may be removed by city employees if they obstruct traffic. Wild animals injured by cars should be
reported through the emergency number so that they can be picked up and
transported to wildlife rehabilitators or euthanized.
If a dog or cat is injured by traffic, Maryland
law requires the driver involved in the accident report the animal in distress
to FCAC. Drivers should not park in a way that impedes traffic or try to rescue
the animal themselves until help arrives. If the driver or passers-by have
experience handling animals, transporting the animal to the FCAC or a veterinary
hospital safely may be the only way to save the animal’s life. Any pet wearing a
tag is more likely to be helped by local businesses. The chances of finding an
owner lessen the likelihood that the pet is unwanted, unvaccinated or in poor
health.
Parents
should remind their teen drivers to avoid slamming on the brakes or crossing a
center line when encountering animals in the road and opt for steering around on
a safe shoulder. This assumes keeping below maximum posted speed limits for each
roadway. It’s also important to keep a safe following distance in case another
driver does slam on the brakes.
At this time of
year, with wildlife preparing for winter, it’s common for all types of local
animals to change territories and cross dangerous roadways in search of food.
When encountering deer, it’s important to remember they often travel in groups.
Just when you think you’ve avoided a tragedy, the rest of the herd darts into
traffic.
At all
times of the year, teen drivers must manage a multitude of distractions: iPods,
cell phones, activity along the roadside and construction sites. When
transporting pets, it’s a good idea to use commercial seat restraints or pet
carriers inside the car. You may want to copy medical records, which may be required if you cross state
boundaries and will be required if someone reaches in the car to pet your dog
and is scratched or bitten. Of course, pets should not be left alone in the car
because of changes in weather and the chance that they will escape or be stolen.
Most pets are
accustomed to riding in the car, but in an emergency, a loose pet in the car can
be a real danger. In accidents, pets are propelled forward, injured and can
impede the driver’s reactions or even operation of the brake pedal or steering
wheel. Pets can escape from open windows and if emergency services are required,
protective dogs may prevent rescue workers from aiding the driver or passengers.
If anyone is transported from the scene of an accident, a pet in a carrier can
easily accompany a rescue worker until family can be notified. In fact, it’s a
good idea to keep a wallet card with pet instructions with your driver’s license
indicating whom to call to care for pets left at home, in the event of an
emergency.
Sassy
Felix Available for
adoption this week are Sassy, a 3-year-old female boxer mix, brown with black
and 1 white, and Felix, a 7 /2-month-old male domestic shorthair cat. Sassy came
to Animal Control with two puppies. The puppies have been adopted and Sassy
needs a forever home of her own. She has been spayed and will be microchipped
upon adoption. Felix arrived at Animal Control at 6 weeks old. He has been
neutered and has tested negative for FeLV and FIV. Meet Sassy and Felix at the
Frederick County Animal Control Center, 1832 Rosemont Ave., Frederick.
