Dangerous Dog Research Articles

Responsabilidad civil por daños causados por especímenes caninos potencialmente peligrosos: construcción y utilidad de una regla especial de responsabilidad

Mediante el análisis de la nueva normativa contenida en la Ley de Tenencia Responsable de Mascotas y Animales de Compañía y su Reglamento, en conjunto con las disposiciones pertinentes del Código Civil, se sostiene que desde la perspectiva de la responsabilidad civil, las nuevas disposiciones levantan importantes cuestiones desde dos puntos de vista. En primer lugar, desde la perspectiva de la construcción de las reglas, se sostiene una injustificada restricción de la extensión de su ámbito de aplicación; se detectan ciertas inconsistencias en la configuración de la conducta que constituye la tenencia de un animal potencialmente peligroso; y se expone las inexplicables diferencia entre las dos vías de calificación de un perro como potencialmente peligroso. En segundo lugar, desde la perspectiva de la utilidad de las reglas, se sostiene que los limitados efectos de la asimilación del perro potencialmente peligroso al animal fiero, en conjunto con la mayor facilidad de la calificación judicial de un perro como tal, conducirán a una continuación de la resolución de los conflictos conforme a las reglas vigentes con anterioridad a la dictación de esta ley.

“Type” as Central to Perceptions of Breed Differences in Behavior of Domestic Dog

A survey was designed to explore the effect of type classification on perception and expectation of a dog’s behavior. The survey focused on two forms of presentation: the effect of visual image versus breed name in the identification of a breed as a dangerous dog type, and the effect of breed group classification on expectation of a dog’s level of aggressiveness. The findings have serious implications for Staffordshire Bull Terriers. Respondents were over 5 times more likely to misascribe by image alone the Staffordshire Bull Terrier as a dangerous breed as defined under the United Kingdom’s Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Furthermore, the classification of Terrier attracted high scores in relation to type-specific aggressiveness. These findings highlight the need for more research on personal perception of supposedly dangerous dog breeds to better understand and explain this phenomena, leading to better protection of the public and better welfare outcomes for dogs.

Territorial aggression? No, he's just a ‘good house dog’!

According to the Royal Mail, dog attacks on postal workers fell by 10% between 2014 and 2015, to approximately 3,000 per year ( BBC, 29th June 2015 ). Despite this drop in incidence, the Dangerous Dog legislation has resulted in a 60% increase in successful prosecutions of the owners of dogs exhibiting territorial aggression towards postal workers. This article examines the dogs' motivation for territorial aggression and how the veterinary team can assist dog owners in preventing or managing territorial events that may otherwise lead to prosecutions.

Dogs and children

ABSTRACTIt is estimated that over half of all children in the UK will be bitten by a dog at some point in their lives (NHS, 2012). The media have highlighted stories of dog attacks on children, and this has caused much debate about the Dangerous Dog Laws. As members of the veterinary profession we have a duty to ensure that we are giving our dog-owning clients the best possible advice when dealing with dogs and children.

Dangerous Dogs, Dangerous Owners and the Waste Management of an ‘Irredeemable Species’

Within sociology a burgeoning literature on class identities and politics has developed during the past 20 years. One area of analysis which has yet to be fully investigated concerns the ways class politics are imbued within debates about human–animal relations. Focusing on the case study of dangerous dog legislation in England and Wales, this article develops the literature on class to locate the ways political framings and legislative responses to the issue of dangerous dogs have been enacted. Analyzing historical accounts of responses to rabies and hydrophobia in dogs and humans, through to contemporary debates about the biological dangerousness of certain dog breeds, the article discusses the sociological implications of these class constructions within the establishment of dangerous dog legislation and associated social control powers.

Dog owners' perceptions of breed-specific dangerous dog legislation in the UK

The aim of this study was to identify both the level and source of knowledge that dog owners in the UK have of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. In order...

“Anything That Can Be a Danger to the Public”: Desire to Extend Registries Beyond Sex Offenses

Registries are no longer limited to sex offenders, as other types of registries, such as a dangerous dog registry and a gun offender registry, have appeared. This study investigated public perceptions about extending registries to other crimes and what types of registries are desired. Data were obtained from more than 700 Michigan residents using a random digit dialling telephone survey. More than half indicated wanting more public registries in addition to sex offender registries. Viewing the sex offender registry, supporting sex offender registries, and being convicted of a crime were factors affecting support for other registries. Respondents who desired additional registries reported most support for registries of those who committed crimes against people. Implications of extending registries to other types of crimes are considered.

Prevalence of aggression and fear-related behavioral problems in a sample of Argentine Dogos in Italy

The Argentine Dogo breed is identified frequently as potentially dangerous in worldwide legislation. To investigate the prevalence of problem behaviors in this breed, 94 Argentine Dogo owners provided information on aggressive and fearful behaviors shown by their dogs (83 males, 98 females) in a questionnaire. The results were consistent with the origin of the Argentine Dogo (i.e., descending from fighting dogs) and subsequent selection exerted to improve hunting qualities. Common aggressive behaviors included predation on small animals (92.0%), intra-specific conflicts (69.5%), and territoriality (i.e., vigilance of territory perimeter, 61.3%; aggression toward people visiting the dog's house, 45.3%; vigilance while inside the owners' car, 33.1%). Aggression directed to the owner was marginally represented. Reactions to leashing, bathing, punishment, sleep disturbance, toy removal, and in other conflict situations occurred in less than 10% of the sample. Reactions to food removal (13.3%) and handling (19.8%) showed higher prevalence. Chasing cars/running people (17.6%) and aggression toward strangers, either those who were friendly (19.1%) or those who seemed threatening on approach (29.4%), were noted. Low anxiety levels reported in social situations confirmed that these reactions were not common (e.g., fear of strangers, children, and unfamiliar dogs ≤10%). Common anxious behaviors were fear of traffic (10.3%), loud noises (36.2%), startling stimuli (30.5%), destructiveness (42.9%), excessive body licking (13.6%), and shyness in novel situations (32.4%). The context and targets of aggression when exhibited by these dogs (e.g., aggression toward animals when outside the dogs' territory, aggression towards people when inside territory) suggest that the Italian law on potentially dangerous dog breeds may be ineffective in preventing Argentine Dogos' aggression to humans. Social hazards could be reduced by promoting proper social exposure and reactions toward people.

Report on the Potentially Dangerous Dog Program: Multnomah County, Oregon

AbstractIn April 1986, a five-year-old boy was fatally mauled by a pit bull terrier in Multnomah County, (Portland) Oregon. This tragic event sparked concern over how effectively the public was being protected from the hazards posed by aggressive dogs. In June 1986, a new ordinance was passed that identifies and regulates potentially dangerous dogs. In the first three years of the program, 1,652 dogs were classified as potentially dangerous, and restrictions were placed on the ownership of these animals. A pretest-posttest evaluation methodology examining the rate of recidivism was used to measure the program's effectiveness in limiting the opportunity for identified potentially dangerous dogs to repeat their behavior. In the five years prior to the implementation of the program, 25% of those dogs that had caused injury to people or other animals through attacking or biting repeated that same behavior within one year. After the implementation of the program, that rate of repeat incidence has been reduced ...

Dog Bites in Urban Children

As a result of a perceived increase in pit bull injuries, all children who presented to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia during 1989 for evaluation of dog bite injuries were prospectively studied. Epidemiologic information was collected from parents, either at the time of visit or by phone on the following day. A total of 168 children were enrolled; the mean age was 8 years. Males outnumbered females 1.5:1. Most (61%) injuries occurred in or around the home and involved dogs known to the patient (77%). Types of injuries included abrasions (33%), punctures (29%), and lacerations (38%). Thirteen bites had associated complications; nine developed infection. Twelve (7%) children required admission to the hospital. More than 12 different purebreeds or cross-breeds were identified as perpetrators, including German shepherds (n = 35), pit bulls (n = 33), rottweilers (n = 9), and Dobermans (n = 7). Most (54%) animals were contained (ie, leashed, fenced, in-house) at the time of injury. Fewer (46%) were provoked prior to biting. Significantly more pit bull injuries (94% vs 43%, P less than .001) were the consequence of unprovoked attacks and involved freely roaming animals (67% vs 41%, P less than .01). Children aged 5 or younger were more likely to provoke animals prior to injury than were older children (69% vs 36%, P less than .001). It is recommended that families with young children be the target of pet safety education and that measures be sought that would lead to early identification of a potentially dangerous dog and restrict ownership.

An overview of types of aggressive behaviour in dogs and methods of treatment

In 223 cases of dogs presented to a specialist behavioural clinic in Brisbane, Australia, 87 (39%) were for severe aggression. The classes of aggression included dominance (31.6%), territorial (29%), predatory (12.3%), intermale (12.3%), sibling rivalry (7.9%), fear biting (6%) and idiopathic rage (0.9%). The breeds most represented which attacked humans were the Bull Terrier (16%), German Shepherd and crosses (15%), Cattle dog breeds (Blue Heeler and crosses, 9.2%), Terrier breeds (9.2%), Labrador (8%), Poodle and Cocker Spaniel (both 5.7%) and Rottweiler (4.6%). The dangerous dog list put out by the local Brisbane City Council includes the first three breeds mentioned and the Rottweiler as the top four breeds causing aggression problems. Hospital records in Victoria and Queensland confirm that most damage is caused to humans by Bull Terriers and German Shepherds. Many breeds similar to those in our study are also represented in American data on aggressive breeds. Treatments included obedience training only, restraint only, obedience and restraint, synthetic progestins and obedience, castration, progestins and obedience, castration and obedience, use of chlorpromazine and as a last resort, euthanasia (12.6%). Entire males formed the largest group (44%), followed by castrated males and females (both 21%) and spayed females (15%). Several breeds (Boxer, Briand, Samoyed and St. Bernard) only attacked other animals and birds. This study reinforces evidence that social disruption is caused by aggressive dogs, but it also indicates that many responsible clients seek advice on how to deal with this behavioural problem.

A DANGEROUS DOG COLLAR.

Australian Veterinary JournalVolume 2, Issue 1 p. 31-31 A DANGEROUS DOG COLLAR. G. FETHERS B.V.Sc., G. FETHERS B.V.Sc.Search for more papers by this author G. FETHERS B.V.Sc., G. FETHERS B.V.Sc.Search for more papers by this author First published: March 1926 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1926.tb13506.xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume2, Issue1March 1926Pages 31-31 RelatedInformation