Cops' Corner: Animal Encounters

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Steven Dietz
  • 71st Security Forces Squadron
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  Vance Air Force Base has a variety of wild and domestic animals. Below are some tips to manage your encounters with them. 

· First and foremost, any injured animal, domestic or wild, may bite out of fear or pain if handled. If you come upon an injured wild animal or pet that not yours, leave the animal alone. Ensure no one approaches the animal, especially children and other animals.

· If you recognize the pet, contact the owners. All pet owners are required to keep their pets up-to-date on all shots, including rabies, and they are required to maintain proof. If you do not recognize the animal, contact the 71st Security Forces Squadron. Enid animal control officers will be called; they are trained to deal with injured animals.

· If you are bitten by an animal, it is best to seek medical attention. When the animal is wild or unknown to you, try to get a description. Simply saying a squirrel or brown dog will not go far in helping authorities find the animal.

· If the dog appears to be aggressive toward other animals or people and they are loose, immediately contact 71st SFS or Enid animal control directly. Security forces members will respond until animal control arrives.

· Pet owners are reminded that their animals must be kept under control at all times, which includes fencing them in, tethering or both.

· Despite the actions pet owners take, animals can occasionally get loose and wander. If you know the owners, contact them; if you are familiar with the animal, bring it back to its home.

Parents should teach their children how to act around animals as well. Instruct them to stay away from strange or wild animals and only to approach animals on a leash when given permission by the owner. Even the most well-behaved dogs will get excited if a child runs up to them wanting to play, and may unintentionally injure the child. Children should be instructed not to walk up to dogs within fenced yards. Some dogs are protective of their yards and may see the child as a threat.

Animals of all types are all around us. With a little caution on everyone's part, we can minimize conflict with them.