Dog Fights & Bites

We have all been afraid of a snarling, panting, ferocious-looking canine at one time or another, and this fear is valid; however, most dogs that fight each other or bite a person are not doing it out of spite or hatred. Many dogs are bred to protect their "property," and it is our job as owners and trainers to take the necessary precautions (and perform the necessary training) with our dogs to ensure a safe and pleasant experience for humans and other dogs who come into contact with them.

  1. History

    • Certain kinds of dogs have been bred to fight, defend or hunt based on specific physical and behavioral qualities related to protecting an individual or property. Small dogs in this category have historically included the French bulldog and the Olde Boston Bulldogge, who were fearless in chasing and killing other small animals like rats. Other larger hunting and fighting dogs who live to protect include the bull terrier, the American pit bull Terrier, the Mallorquin bulldog, and the Irish blue terrier.

    Considerations

    • Dog expert Adam Katz says that fighting and biting depend "more on the dog's temperament, training and socialization." Katz also suggests it's a mistake to merely assume your dog will not fight with other dogs, even if your dog has exhibited calm and quiet behavior while at home: "The issue isn't whether your dog is or isn't nice; it's how the two dogs' temperaments interrelate." Your dog might also become aggressive once he's put on a leash, whereas off the leash, your dog may seem docile and tranquil.

    Misconceptions

    • According to former veterinarian Pete Wedderburn of the UK Telegraph, there are many misconceptions surrounding dog bites, especially since those incidents that receive attention are usually the most severe kinds of attacks by highly aggressive"fighting-type" dogs. Most dog bites occur in the home and are relatively minor. Dog bites are often not the fault of the dog but of its human trainer. Poor training and inadvertent provocation are often to blame for dogs biting humans.

    Theories/Speculation

    • In 2001, the American Veterinary Medical Association Task Force on Canine Aggression and Human-Canine Interactions released an important and authoritative report on dog aggression and behavior. The task force argues that animal control agencies and officers are an essential component to tackling the dog aggression issue: "A well-resourced animal control agency is vital for public health and safety within any community." These agencies can license dogs and cats, enforce leash laws, control free-roaming animal populations, investigate animal bite-related incidents, provide educational outreach and much more to help their communities.

    Prevention/Solution

    • According to DogBiteLaw.com, there are a number of ways we can prevent dog attacks on humans: we can require dog safety education in schools; require dog owners to obtain insurance that would compensate dog bite victims; require pet stores to provide customers with specific dog breed information; enact leash laws (which would require that all dogs be leashed at all times except when inside a private residence) and dog-trespass laws; enforce laws that prohibit dog fighting; and support research on dog attacks and prevention.