dogs bite

I really don’t believe there are bad dogs, just bad owners.  If a dog attacks, it’s not because the dog is evil.  The dog is just an animal, behaving like an animal.  Pet owners have a responsibility to manage and contain their animals, so attacks can’t occur.  Too often we see the tragic aftermath of a neglectful or abusive owner whose dog attacks an innocent bystander.  And too often, the dog is punished for doing what it has been groomed to do.  Just last week, Seattle police were called to the scene of a domestic dispute.   Police reported hearing screams from a woman and growling dogs inside the home.  Upon entering the residence, officers saw two dogs on top of a bloodied woman.  The woman broke free and the animals attacked each other.  While it’s unclear what lead up to the attack, the aftermath is that two dogs were shot and one did not survive his injuries.

I’m not saying that every aggressive animal has been trained or encouraged to be vicious.  Rather, I’m saying that aggressive animals are made, whether intentionally or not, by their owners.  Animals bare their teeth, growl, snap, and worst of all, bite other animals, or people.  Pet owners who ignore aggressive dog behavior for a long period of time place themselves and others in jeopardy.  

Too often dog owners think of their beloved pets as humans, and are deeply offended by the idea their pet is acting aggressively.   Instead, they’ll make excuses for the behavior, dismissing it as harmless or an isolated incident.  As pet owners, we are responsible for so much more than feeding our pets, taking them to the vet and buying new collars and pet id tags.    We must also recognize aggressive behavior and work to correct it, which may require the assistance of a professional.   

Approximately half of all the claims on home-owner's insurance are because of dog bites and 90% of people who are bitten, know the animal.    60% to 70% of dog bites are to children or the elderly and 40% of the bites to children result in loss of facial tissue (lips, cheek etc.). 

Dogs do not think about their actions or the consequences, they simply act according to their instincts.