Injuries from animals are rare but do occur on hikes. To avoid becoming one of those statistical oddities, keep your distance from the local fauna. Never feed or approach wildlife.Even if docile, the animal may bite when you get close to it. If it is sick, and a bite occurs, the child could contract a disease. If there are reports in an area of dangerous animals attacking people, don’t hike there.
Upon returning to your vehicle, always report aggressive animals to authorities. Bears and mountain lions may have to be removed from the area to prevent attacks on humans.
Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.
