By COOPER SLOUGH
Hays Post

With summer in full swing, there are more kids and animals outside right now than any other time of the year. With that shared space comes the possibility of bites. While animal bites are not common, city of Hays Animal Control reminds residents bites are avoidable.

“The city of Hays has on average around 25 animal bites per year, the majority of them being family pets biting family members,” said Stan Moore, city of Hays Animal Control officer.

According to Moore, dogs bite for three reasons – fear, injury or aggression.

“Never approach a strange dog,” he said. “If you find a dog that’s at large, call the police department. Don’t try to apprehend it yourself. Most dogs are friendly, but occasionally you’ll find one that’s hurt or scared, and if you try to catch it, you run the risk of getting bitten.”

The city of Hays also has a leash law that requires pet owners to keep their pets on a leash or under direct verbal control at all times.

Moore also has advice to give in order to keep pets safely at home.

“A fenced in yard is great,” he said, adding “if a yard is not available, you can get a kennel, just make sure it doesn’t impede the natural movement of the dog and gives them some room to move.”

Summer temperatures are reaching their peak of the season as well, and Moore advised that dogs need to be kept cool.

“Dogs suffer heat the same as people do,” he said. “Try to treat them the way you’d like to be treated.”