Dog Safety and Halloween

What safety precautions should be taken for dogs on Halloween?

Whether you bring your dog trick-or-treating or stay home to pass out candy, there are some safety considerations to keep in mind this Halloween. In this Pittsburgh Today Live (PTL) segment, "Straight to the Point," Gina Zumpella, partner at Edgar Snyder & Associates, breaks down the safety precautions to take as a pet owner on Halloween to help keep others secure and safe.

Safety Precautions for Dogs and Their Owners

Hosts Heather Abraham and David Highfield start off by admiring Gina's dog, Lulu, who is dressed up for Halloween. David points out that Lulu represents some of the safety precautions that Gina is here to speak about. Gina shows off that Lulu is on a leash, her costume is comfortable, and the costume has green reflective tape to ensure Lulu can be seen in crowds and at night.

Gina emphasizes that the most important precaution to take is to make sure that your dog is on a leash. "So, I have Lulu on a leash here; that's what is most important, because we do have a leash law in Pennsylvania. You want to have your dog on a leash at all times," Gina says.

Know Your Pet and Their Behaviors

Heather Abraham notes that it is also important to know your pet. Understanding your pets' habits and behaviors matters when deciding where to take them on Halloween.

"There are definitely some costumes and decorations...lots of people moving or on scooters, bikes, wagons, you know, that can be very distressing to a dog. We definitely don't want to put our pet in that kind of situation," she says.

David and Gina agree with Heather’s statement. Knowing your animal and its behavior can keep you, your animal, and those around you safe from harm. If you decide to stay in and pass out candy, consider whether your dog often jumps on people, comes to the door, or gets upset by noises.

What Classifies as a Dog Related Injury?

Gina explains, "Sometimes people misunderstand that we can only be responsible if our dog bites somebody else, but you can also be responsible if your dog knocks somebody over, and we have a lot of tiny humans coming and lots of kiddos for Halloween.”

When it comes to dogs who aren’t suited to be around small children or crowds of people, Gina says, "Keep them inside in a separate room or crate them if you need to…but another great idea is to sit outside and just hand out that candy on your porch. That way, you can keep your pet inside to ensure that everybody is safe."

Worst case scenario, if your dog ends up biting someone or knocking them down, the first thing that Gina recommends is getting the appropriate medical attention calling your homeowners insurance company to let them know what happened. Gina also mentions calling your homeowners insurance company whether an accident happens on your property or elsewhere.

Injured by a Dog? Call Us 24/7

If you are bitten or knocked over by a dog, Gina emphasizes calling Edgar Snyder & Associates as soon as possible. "It's important to call us right away because there are a lot of things out there that can disappear, like video footage and photographs. If you get bitten, take pictures of those injuries. We want to investigate and get on the scene right away to get that information."

As Halloween is right around the corner, pet owners should consider important safety precautions when interacting with trick-or-treaters.

Watch the full video here to learn more about dog safety and Halloween.