Maleah Stringer: Dog bites can be avoided

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John P. Cleary

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July 4, 2009

Anonymous The Herald Bulletin Sat Jul 04, 2009, 07:13 PM EDT

Dog bite cases are always a little bit tricky. There are some who think that no matter the circumstances if a dog bites, it is the dog’s fault and it should be euthanized.

Then there are those at the other end of the spectrum who always blame humans for a dog biting and are willing to leave the dog with the owners with restrictions. I personally am in the middle — depends on the bite.

There is a difference between a dog bite and a dog attack. I do not think a “dog bite” situation should always end in euthanasia.

Dog attacks are a whole different story.

A dog bite is where the dog bites then retreats — a dog attack is where once the dog gets started, he continues to bite. This is extremely serious and can result in injury or death.

I find it interesting that there are some people who think that a dog does not ever have the right to protect itself. They believe that a child should be able to poke, prod, pull ears and tails, lie on the dog and generally make a dog’s life miserable without any of this resulting in a dog bite. Why?

Another behavior I find bizarre is that people let their children go up to dogs they do not know and put their faces in the dog’s face. This is asking for your child’s nose to be bitten off. It is never a wise tactic for anyone to put their face in the face of a strange dog.

Hugging dogs who do not know you is another good way to get bitten. To a dog, this is an act of aggression. How would you feel if while walking down the street someone you don’t know grabs you and gives you a big, tight hug and won’t let go?

When dealing with dog bites there are several questions to ask.

1. Why did the dog bite?

2. Is there a history of biting?

3. Was the dog put in a fearful or overwhelming situation? And what could you as the owner have done to protect others and your dog?

4. Did you knowingly put your dog in a situation where you knew there was potential for biting? Example: I would never take my dachshund around a lot of children; he gets overwhelmed and afraid.

Warning signs for him are: first, he retreats if pursued he snarls and as a last resort he snaps and runs.

As a result if I see any of these signs I remove him immediately. So yes, it is up to dog owners to access situations, know their dogs and not put them in situations that could result in a dog bite.

Reasons for dogs to bite:

1. Abuse

2. Not spayed/neutered

3. Chained — particularly dogs who are chained 24/7 with little interaction

4. Teased

5. Rewarded for aggressive behavior

6. Rough play

7. Not properly trained or disciplined

8. Fear

9. Someone moves aggressively toward animal or taunting

10. Leaving children unsupervised with a dog

11. Food, treats, bones or going into dog’s crate or area; territory issues

Protect yourself, your dog and others — be a smart responsible dog owner. You could save human injury or death and you can save your dog’s life as well.

Maleah Stringer, program director of Anderson Animal Care and Control, is also president of the Animal Protection League. She can be reached at maleahstringer@aol.com.

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