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Animal
behaviourist says dogs will be dogs
Massey University animal behaviourist Dr Kevin
Stafford says the number of dog attacks appear to have decreased since
the Dog Control Act was introduced in 1996. And while there appears to
be an increase in attacks at present, the number always increases during
summer when more dogs are taken for walks in the park, at the beach and
on the street, he says.
Dr Stafford says calls to strengthen the powers of dog control officers
are probably unnecessary. He says the current legislation is sufficient
but the issue is how to enforce it effectively. “The 1996 Act is
very good but it is impossible to have animal control officers patrolling
public spaces all the time to check that dogs are not present or on a
lead as required. Such a level of surveillance would be costly and if
territorial authorities were to do it, dog registration fees would have
to be increased considerably or society would have to pay in some other
way like through the rates. If we want to control dogs, we need to ensure
that the present legalisation is enforced.”
Dr Stafford says part of the problem is that people don’t complain
when they see dogs behaving inappropriately such as running free in areas
where they are forbidden or should be on a lead, or barking and charging
up to front fences, snarling or biting. By alerting the authorities to
potentially dangerous dogs owners can be reminded of their responsibilities
and some attacks could be prevented. However, if a dog control officer
recommends a dog be put down because of its aggressive behaviour, the
weight of the media is often behind the dog, he says. “Dog control
officers are in a very difficult position, dealing with dangerous animals
but having to battle owners and others who don’t want to see the
dog put down.”
Dr Stafford has considered the list of recent dog attacks and notes that
many are ‘territorial’ attacks, where dogs are protecting
their ground. The case of the four-year-old who was attacked by the Jack
Russell is one example. “Territorial offensive biting is natural
for dogs. One of the reasons we keep dogs is to protect our property by
barking when they see visitors. For some dogs moving from territorial
barking to biting is only a matter of time. We’ve all seen dogs
that run along the fence of a front garden barking at passers-by. Allowing
a dog to live in a front garden and to bark and chase after pedestrians
in this manner is foolish and asking for trouble.”
Many of the other reported attacks were by family pets on family members.
These attacks usually go unreported, he says. “In an American study
the majority of adults visiting hospitals because of dog bite had been
bitten by their own family dog. The real public concern has always been
about dogs that attack innocent people for little apparent reason in public
places. When these dogs are large and capable of inflicting serious injury
then strict control is required whether is be by mandatory leash or muzzling
regulations.”
He says some European countries have banned all bull terrier-type dogs
and insist Rottweilers be muzzled in public. He says this is something
we should consider, but he doesn’t think we are ready for such legislation
yet because English Bull Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are
culturally significant to many people. “Regardless of legislation
and regulation if we are going to have dogs, people are going to get bitten.
If we want to have a dog bite free country then we have to be dog free.
All dogs can bite if provoked.”
He says most people don’t want, and don’t believe, they own
a dangerous dog. Pushing for more education on dog behaviour isn’t
an answer as there are more dog training clubs and educational material
available now than ever before but reminding owners of their responsibilities
is always good and these terrible attacks of the last few weeks will do
that more than any education programme he says.
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