Dog bite fatalities on the wane: Amala Akkineni

Speaking at 'Clean India 2013', organised by Sukuki Exnora on World Environment Day, Ms. Amala cited the records of the Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM) to state that there were no deaths due to stray dog bites in the last few years. But there might be instances of deaths in cases where people come to the city for treatment from other places. "Even dog bites reported in the city have come down by nearly 15,000 due to the sincere and coordinated effort of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC)," she said. Garbage Ms. Amala underscored the link between garbage and stray dogs and called upon residents to keep their colonies free of garbage heaps. She said the high plastic usage, which ends up in streets and garbage piles, causes severe problems for cattle.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/dog-bite-fatalities-on-the-wane-amala-akkineni/article4785324.ece

Dogs Put $489M Bite on Home Insurance Industry

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were close to 27,800 reconstructive procedures, including ones for children, to repair dog bites in 2012. Most homeowners' policies, says the Institute, provide liability coverage of $100,000 to $300,000. If the claim exceeds the limit, the dog owner is responsible for all damages above that amount, including legal expenses. Most insurance companies insure homeowners with dogs, according to the Institute. But some charge more to people owning breeds that an insurer may regard as bite-prone, such as pit bulls and Rottweilers. Some cover the owner only if the dog is taken to behavior classes or is restrained in public with a muzzle, chain or cage. Others deny coverage altogether. Patterson of the AVMA calls insurers' singling out certain breeds misguided. http://freedoghandbook.com/avma-offers-expert-tips-to-reduce-dog-bites-no-matter-where-your-hometown-ranks-13-wthr-indianapolis/
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://abcnews.go.com/Business/dogs-bite-insurance-industry-479-million/story?id=19274676

Dog Bites Man, GSA Wastes Money

A report released yesterday by the Office of Audits at the GSA's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) revealed that senior managers within the GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) improperly intervened in the award of contracts for information technology (IT) services and equipment. In the process, GSA management "undermined the integrity of the procurement process." The OIG audit focused on three 2011 contracts worth a total of more than $900 million to Oracle America, Carahsoft Technology, and Deloitte Consulting, in which the OIG found interference by superiors caused either higher contract prices, less favorable terms for the government, or questionable contract extensions. The results reveal an environment at GSA that appears rife with cronyism, mismanagement, and intimidation. According to the report, GSA contracting officers told the OIG that they "feared for their jobs because they were trying to do the right thing and protect the taxpayers' interests," and that "GSA contractors know they can get whatever they want by going to FAS management." At times, senior GSA officials reportedly engaged in communications with contractors without the knowledge of the employees in charge of negotiations. In one chilling example, GSA directors did not provide proper justification for reassigning a contract with Oracle to a new contracting officer (CO).
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://finance.yahoo.com/news/dog-bites-man-gsa-wastes-175400446.html

Health Tip: Reduce the Risk of Dog Bites

Health Tip: Reduce the Risk of Dog Bites Travel Deals Posted: Wednesday, June 5, 2013, 7:00 AM (HealthDay News) -- Before welcoming a new dog into your family, research how to choose the right one. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these suggestions, which should help reduce the chances of you or a family member being bitten: Talk to a professional, such as a trainer or veterinarian, about which breeds may be best suited for your family. If you have a young child, do not consider a dog with a history of aggression. Pay attention to your child's signals of fear or anxiety toward being around a dog. Don't adopt a dog until such fears subside. Before you bring a dog home, spend time with the dog.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.philly.com/philly/health/topics/HealthDay676673_20130605_Health_Tip__Reduce_the_Risk_of_Dog_Bites.html

Dog Bites Insurance Companies: Man's Best Friend Behind One-Third of All Homeowner Claims

A couple of states outlaw "breed profiling," but most states allow insurance companies to deny or cancel coverage if a certain breed of dog is living at the home. Earlier this year, for instance, a Colorado woman's homeowner's policy was canceled after an insurance agent had stopped by the house to check on a plumbing claim and discovered that a Pit Bull was in residence. The dog wasn't involved in the claim at all, and had never bitten anyone, the owner said. (MORE: Overindulge Much? Top 10 Conspicuously Expensive Purchases ) Besides the insurance association, another organization heralding last week's Dog Bite Prevention was the U.S. Postal Service , which highlighted the fact that the most likely groups to be bitten are small children, the elderly, and postal service carriers.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://business.time.com/2013/05/28/dog-bites-insurance-companies-mans-best-friend-behind-one-third-of-all-homeowner-claims/

Pet Tales: The high price of dog bites

"If enough are consumed, your companion animal may experience vomiting or constipation and require a visit to the veterinarian." Looking for scofflaws Pennsylvania dog wardens will be "canvassing" neighborhoods in Allegheny County all month, looking for dog owners who have not purchased dog licenses and owners who had not gotten rabies vaccinations for their dogs and cats. The news releases doesn't say exactly where they're going, but violators can face $300 fines plus court costs. Dogs 3 months old and older must have a state dog license. The fee is $6.45 for spayed and neutered dogs and $8.45 for intact dogs. Older adults and persons with disabilities get a price break -- $4.45 and $6.45. Cats are not required to be licensed, but non-feral cats older than 3 months must be vaccinated against rabies.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/life/pets/pet-tales-the-high-price-of-dog-bites-689914/