HIGHLIGHTS OF CHAPTER 12: Health issues

• Many popular assumptions about faecal litter and zoonoses are misleading. a

• One of the main reasons dogs are banned in many public places is dog faeces. a

• Councils can employ a range of environmentally friendly measures to reduce faecal litter in public places. Owners who will stoop and scoop are the greatest asset of all. a

• The risk of zoonotic infection to pet owners is small compared with the risk of motor vehicle accidents to car owners. Mainstream MPM measures such as fence and leash restraint and encouraging owners to look after the health of their pets can reduce the public risk of zoonotic infection from cats and dogs. a

• There are many different forms of rabies virus. Urban rabies, the biotype associated with domestic dogs, worries Australian and New Zealand public health officials most but so far there have been no reported cases of domestic animals with rabies in either country. a 

• Zoonoses are an occupational health and safety issue in MPM. a

• Another important OH&S issue for PMOs is dealing with dangerous dogs. a

• Dealing with difficult people is a stressful business and stress management is another OH&S issue. a