Halloween no treat for family pets

The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control reminds pet owners that Halloween can be potentially dangerous and frightening for animals. Here are some tips to keep pets safe during Halloween:

•Keep pets indoors in a secure comfortable area with a radio or television playing in the background. Many pets fear the noise from trick-or-treaters.

•Always keep current license and ID tags securely affixed to the pet's collar. A license tag is the only voice a pet has if it becomes lost.

•Do not leave pets outside unattended. Loud noises frighten pets, and they may panic, become confused and go to great lengths to escape their enclosures. This can include chewing leashes or breaking fences.

•Keep pets away from all candy. Chocolate, which contains theobromine, can be poisonous to pets, causing nerve damage and even death.

•Properly dispose of all candy wrappers. Tinfoil and cellophane wrappers are tempting treats for pets and can cause animals to choke or to have intestinal blocks.

•Keep pumpkins or jacko'lanterns away from pets. Pets can knock them over, which could result in burns or a fire.

•Halloween pet costumes can pose safety hazards for pets. Do not dress them up unless they are used to it and enjoy it. Make sure the costume does not restrict their movement, vision, hearing or the ability to breathe or bark. Halloween pet costumes should not have small or dangling accessories that can be swallowed by a pet.

•Post the numbers of local emergency clinics and the animal control agency in the house in case of an emergency.

•If a pet does become lost, it is critical to visit the local animal shelters in person. Bring a photograph of the missing pet to post.