Teach your children the following 25 basic rules of safety around animals. These rules are:

1. Never approach an unfamiliar animal. Remember that not every dog that wags its tail is friendly.
2. Always ask the owner's permission before petting an animal.
3. Always approach animals slowly and carefully.
4. When meeting a new cat or dog, let it come to you and smell you first.
5. Know where the animals in your neighborhood live.
6. Keep away from stray animals.
7. Never run from a dog or cat and scream.
8. Remain calm and motionless when approached by an unfamiliar dog or cat (e.g., "be still like a tree").
9. Always protect your face, neck and arms. If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still (e.g., "be still like a log").
10. If you're attacked, give the cat or dog a book or backpack to chew on. Cover your head and neck, and protect your face.
11. Never play with a cat or dog unless supervised by an adult.
12. Immediately report stray animals or animals displaying unusual behavior to an adult.
13. Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.
14. Do not disturb a pet who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
15. Do not pet a cat or dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
16. Do not make loud noises around animals.
17. Do not ever tease an animal.
18. Never reach through a fence to pet a dog.
19. Never put your hand between two dogs or cats.
20. Never put your face close to a dog or cat.
21. Never try to help a hurt dog or cat; get an adult to help.
22. If you do not have permission, never enter a yard with a dog in it. Better yet, wait for the owner to enter the yard with you.
23. Never leave a baby alone with a dog.
24. If bitten, immediately report the bite to an adult.
25. Report all animal bites to the Virginia Beach Bureau of Animal Control 757-385-4444.