How to prevent dog aggression
About 800,000 Americans seek medical attention and about 12 are
killed in dog attacks each year, according to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Half the injured are
children.
How to prevent dog aggression
About 800,000 Americans seek medical attention and about 12 are killed in dog attacks each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Half the injured are children.
Kimberlie Reckas, a Hollister resident, owns a beagle named Dakota. On March 30, a neighbor’s pit bull attacked Dakota, Reckas said.
Reckas, her two children and her mother were in front of their house getting ready to go for a drive. Her 7-year-old son was holding onto Dakota’s leash.
“All of a sudden my neighbor’s 9-month-old pitbull came tearing around the corner,” Reckas said.
Reckas is not certain why the other dog was off leash. Dakota sensed the pit bull before she did.
“He went between the dog and my son, and he kind of just hunkered down and put his head between his paws,” Reckas said. “That dog was chomping on my beagle.”
Reckas grabbed her son and put her back to the attacking dog. After she got her kids inside, Reckas called the police.
Although Reckas’ mother kicked the other dog repeatedly, it took the help of a neighbor to pull the pitbull off Dakota.
“My dog has 15 puncture wounds, four lacerations; he suffered from extreme shock and asphyxiation,” Reckas said. “He looks really ugly right now, but he’s going to live.”
Reckas recommends that people get to know the dogs in their neighborhood and find out which are aggressive, Reckas said. Children should never be allowed to walk dogs that have a history of aggression, Reckas said.
“Know where the animal hospital is,” Reckas said. “I had to get the phone book out. I got lost for a half hour because I didn’t know where it was.”
Dog versus dog aggression can lead to dog versus human aggression, especially with small children, said Curtis Moran, a local veterinarian.
“In some cases of multiple episodes of aggression,” Moran said, “it is sometimes safer to euthanize a dangerous animal than to take the risk of possible severe injury to other pets or people.”
Adult dogs that are already aggressive with people or other dogs are more difficult to deal with, Moran said.
“The best thing to do is to consult with a behaviorist that is trained and experienced in dealing with aggressive dogs,” Moran said.
Aggression can sometimes be reduced through intensive behavior modification, but such training can be difficult and time consuming, Moran said.
The best way to prevent aggression in dogs is through proper socialization of a new puppy, Moran said via e-mail.
Owners should not allow their puppy in areas where stray dogs roam, or on neighborhood walks, until they are fully vaccinated.
If there are no other dogs in a household, allow the puppy to play with a healthy, fully vaccinated dog at a friend’s house, Moran said.
Spaying or neutering a dog can cut down on aggression, especially in male dogs, said Julie Carreiro, animal control supervisor for San Benito County.
When choosing a puppy from a breeder, one of the most important things is to make sure the parents are not aggressive, Carreiro said.
“You wouldn’t want to get a puppy from a parent that is growling at you,” Carreiro said.
If a family gets a dog from a breeder, make sure the puppy stays with its littermates for a full eight weeks, Carreiro said.
“That way puppies can learn their bite inhibition when they are young dogs,” Carreiro said. “They learn the pecking order and how to get along.”
Obedience training is important, Carreiro said.
“It is very important when people get a dog that they provide structure for the dog, like with children,” Carreiro said.
Do not let dogs roam freely and make sure all fences are in good repair.
By law, in Hollister, if someone’s property is unfenced, their dogs must be leashed at all times, Carreiro said.
If another dog displays signs of aggressiveness, pop an umbrella and use it as a shield, Carreiro said.
“That can keep the other dog at bay,” Carreiro said. “Then you can back away slowly until you get to a safe place.”
If two dogs get into a fight, protect yourself and your dog, Carreiro said.
“Don’t put your hands in, because you can get bitten,” Carreiro said. “Grab the dogs by the tail and pull them apart.”
If there is a garden hose nearby, spray the dogs with water, Carreiro said.
Small incidents of aggression can lead to bigger problems.
“If anyone is attacked or approached in a aggressive way, they should approach animal control,” Carreiro said. “That way we can document the behavior and take the appropriate actions.”
It is important to document any instance of aggression, even if someone does not want to sign a complaint.
To report an aggressive dog, residents may call county animal control at 636-4320.
