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Sheltering an Animal’s Perspective
by Gregory M. Simpson
It seems to me that all the talk about dangerous dog breeds should not be about "bad" breeds, but about irresponsible people. Just as with raising children, there is both "nature" and "nurture" to consider.
Through the centuries, some dogs were bred as war dogs, others for the hunting of dangerous game, and still others for fights against a variety of animals, including other dogs, bears, lions, rats, badgers, monkeys, opossums, pigs, horses, donkeys, and even man.
Although there may be dog breeds known for displaying dominance aggression, canine behaviorists agree that this type of aggression is potentially found in all breeds. Dog aggression is more the result of a human behavior problem than a canine one. Dangerous behavior in dogs often comes from the ignorance of breeders and owners. Breeders may deliberately or unknowingly breed unsound and unstable temperament, thus perpetuating what should have disappeared from the gene pool. Furthermore, fear and anxiety – not dominance - are the greatest causes of dog aggression directed at other dogs and people.
To experience rare problem behavior, the breeding, raising, living and training conditions of the breeder and owner must be consonant with knowledge of canines as a species (for instance, there are over 50 possible medical reasons for canine aggression), with the dog breed (the breed standard usually spells out whether dog aggression is common in the breed and to what degree it is allowed), and the individual dog, in particular. This is true for all dog breeds. When owners are not aware of the above points, statistics show that the vast majority (77%) of biting dogs belong to the victim’s family or friends.
With all the concern about which breed is the most dangerous, it has to be noted that any dog that is treated harshly or trained to attack, may bite a person. Any dog can be made into a dangerous dog. It is the owner or handler who is most responsible for making a dog into something dangerous. Any dog may be a loving companion although its breed may be considered potentially dangerous. As with any relationship, the love and respect of a dog must be won. Ultimately, one cannot look at an individual dog, identify its breed, and then state whether it is going to attack. For from 1979 to 1998, at least 25 breeds of dogs have been involved in bite related deaths.
Consider these other statistics – all caused by people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that a chained dog is 2.8 times more likely to bite than an unchained dog. Canines not spayed or neutered are three times more likely to bite than sterilized ones (70% of all dog bites involve un-neutered males). Of the 27 people who died as a result of dog bite attacks in 1997 and 1998, 67% involved unrestrained dogs on the owner’s property. Another 19% involved unrestrained dogs off the owner’s property. In other words, dogs that are licensed with an identifiable owner are implicated in the vast majority of dog bites, as compared with stray dogs. Furthermore, the greater number of children and dogs in a household, the higher likelihood of bites occurring. A 2001 New York Times article reported that 40% of owners acquired the dog primarily for protection. As the saying goes, "Be careful what you wish for."
Obedience training school is one way of effectively preventing many dog bites. Owners should also find time for day-to-day instruction between themselves and their dogs. Busy lifestyles are a major reason for the rise of aggression related attacks. As Americans work more hours, dog caring responsibilities slip, resulting in mild or stronger neglect.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) informs, "There is no evidence that breed-specific laws" (those that either regulate or ban a certain breed of dog) "which are costly and difficult to enforce – make communities safer for families or for the companion animals that are part of so many households." What the ASPCA recommends instead is: 1) enhanced enforcement of dog license laws and leash/dog-at-large laws; 2) dangerous dog laws that are breed-neutral and focus on the behavior of the individual dog; 3) laws that hold dog owners financially accountable for failure to adhere to animal control laws; 4) laws that prohibit chaining or tethering; and 5) laws that mandate the sterilization of shelter animals.
Note that no dog breed was named in this column. That’s because the message is about irresponsible people, not ‘bad" breeds. There is no such thing as a bad breed.
For the animals,
Gregory M. Simpson
Gregory Simpson’s animal welfare involvement spans over 25 years, having provided leadership for several Connecticut organizations, as well as having served as state advisor to the national Friends of Animals. Currently a Board member of Protectors of Animals, Inc., he was chosen by CAT FANCY magazine as one of the ultimate cat lovers in the U.S. He is also a member of the Cat Writers’ Association.
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