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Medical Author:

Scott D Fell, DO, FAAEM

Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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With common sense, a person can lower the risk of being bitten by an animal:

• Avoid contact and interaction with unknown animals. Even animals that appear friendly can bite if provoked.
• Do not feed or try to catch or play with wild animals such as squirrels, raccoons, or rats.
• Do not disturb an animal while it is feeding or taking care of its young.
• Use great care when "aggressively" playing with an animal. Even the family dog can bite its owner by accident.
• Do not stick your fingers into animals' cages (for example, at the pet store, zoo, or dog show).

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