DEALING WITH AGGRESSIVE ANIMALS IN THE WORKPLACE

As a business owner or employer in the pet industry, you must ensure that your business and your staff are as safe as possible. You cannot afford to be out of your business nursing bites, and WHS requirements demand you make your workplace as safe as possible.  Use this document as a training manual for your business.

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 Why are Animals aggressive?

There are many possible reasons, but in pet businesses the three main reasons are

1. Fear – eg of smells, people or strange places, or a past bad experience at similar businesses)
2. Pain – eg due to arthritis, handling, or poor coat condition, for example
3. Resource protection –can include protection/aggression over of toys, food or owner

To reduce stress and aggression before arrival:

1. Set arrival and departure appointments when the business is likely to be quieter, especially if your reception area is small.

2. Ask the client to use a pheromone spray on the travel crate, blanket or bandana at least 15 minutes before transport to your business

3. Ask the client to wait in the car, not in the reception area, until other animals have left and you are ready to receive the animal

4. Consider asking the client to muzzle the animal before bringing it into the reception area (see note on muzzles below)

To reduce stress and aggression while the animal is in your business:

5. Allow a distance of at least one body length of the largest dog between the aggressive animal and any other animal or person wherever possible
6. Use pheromone calming diffuser agents throughout the business premises
7. Arrange the reception area to minimise contact between aggressive and other animals or people
8. Use visual barriers to limit the view of the animal (eg towels over crates) so that the aggressive animal sees as few other animals and people as possible
9. Ensure all other animals are crated and/or removed from the working areas.
10. While the animal is waiting to be worked on, cover the crate to near-darkness

To reduce stress and aggression while you are working on the animal:

11. Prepare all materials and equipment in advance
12. Maintain a calm demeanour. Animals can detect anxiety in humans.
13. Use special care removing the animal from the kennel or crate. DO NOT reach in, allow the animal to come out, or tip the crate so the animal is forced into the working area. Maintain control with leash and muzzle (see notes on muzzle below). Use food rewards or other distractions where possible. Ensure another staff member is present wherever possible.
14. Ensure all areas where the animal will stand are covered in non-slip materials.
15. Move slowly and keep talking to the animal calmly.
16. If the animal has an aggression “trigger” (eg touching underbelly or ears), then only do this after all other activities are completed
17. Work on the animal in the place it feels most comfortable, noting your own safety. For example, for large dogs this may be on the floor, but note you may have to identify a ‘quick escape route’ if needed for safety.
18. ALWAYS have the animal on a leash. DO NOT use check chains as these may be difficult to get off in an emergency.
19. Use a muzzle if necessary (see note on muzzles below)
20. Keep a spare leash assembly available in case of breakage or need. For real problem animals you may need a leash on either side and keep the animal between you.
21. In really dangerous situations, wearing heavy leather gloves can assist, but note that these may reduce your ability to detect an imminent attack.
22. Where possible, reward good behaviour at regular intervals using a piece of high value food if it safe to do so – there must be no other animals present. If the food is not eaten, DO NOT reach to retrieve it. Once the animal is removed from that environment, only then retrieve and dispose of any uneaten treats.

A note on muzzles…..

If you are using a muzzle, use a disposable muzzle or plastic; NOT leather, fabric or porous materials. Aggressive or anxious animals release pheromones

of their own, and these absorb into porous materials and will negatively affect other animals using these muzzles.

DO NOT muzzle brachycephalic (“Squashy nosed”) breeds or animals with breathing issues. A towel or inflatable collar, Elizabethan collar or halter leash mechanism may be good alternatives.

 

Know the signs of an imminent bite!

It is important to known and to train your staff in the “signs of stress, fear and biting” in dogs. While there may be no warning, most animals will indicate their intention by

Signs of Stress: – yawning, licking, scratching, averting eyes, panting

Signs of Fear: – agitation, drooling, whining, escape attempts, panting

Signs of Aggression: – growling, baring teeth, “dry bites” where the animal may snap the air

In cats, signs of reduced tolerance that can give rise to attack include stiff, twitching tail, and tensing body muscles, which can suddenly and without further warning change to attack. Other signs include laid back ears, drawn-back facial muscles, hissing or low growling.

 

Ways to reduce stress and aggression in animals

– avoid direct eye contact,

– approach the animal from the side or rear, not the front

– DO NOT reach over the animal’s head

– move slowly and deliberately

– use a low voice, avoid high pitched or loud noises

– DO NOT try to “make friends” with the animal by patting it, just get on with the job

– do use food rewards for good behaviour in animals that respond to them.

DO consider the use of sedation in the short term as part of a program to gain trust and calm the animal and the owner. Ask the owner to visit the veterinarian, and test the medicine on the animal at least one week prior to coming to the business.

References

http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/me-ow-signs-your-cat-is-about-to-bite-or-scratch-you#0_g2w6teh4 searched 29/7/16

http://www.digitalbrief.net/journals/global-edition-clinicians-brief/14/7/infectious-disease  searched 29/7/16