Identifying a dangerous dog no easy task: RSCPA
A ban on American Staffordshire terriers after this week’s fatal dog mauling won’t work — and one thing is key to prevent terrible tragedies like the Mill Park attack, the RSPCA says.
Opinion
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Wednesday’s dog attack incident was a terrible tragedy. Our hearts go out to the family of Mr Biancofiore, the 61-year-old-man Mill Park man killed by the family pet, his wife who is recovering from injuries, and all those affected by this incident.
There are many factors that influence aggressive behaviour in dogs and, whenever tragic incidents like this occur, they provoke debate about how to manage dangerous dogs.
Australia, like other countries, has grappled with this issue and how to reduce the risk of dog attacks.
The fact is that dog attacks can occur for a variety of reasons. Breed alone is not a reliable predictor of aggressive behaviour.
Rather, several factors can influence aggression in otherwise healthy dogs.
They include the dog’s genetics, learning experiences, training and environment.
Any dog of any size, breed or mix of breeds has the potential to be aggressive in some circumstances, such as when injured, ill or scared.
The evidence suggests that fear is the underlying emotion associated with aggression in physically and mentally healthy dogs.
So how do we prevent dog attacks like the one this week?
RSPCA Victoria shares the view of other animal organisations around the world that legislation banning or restricting particular breeds is ineffective for preventing or reducing dog attacks, or for protecting the public from dangerous dogs.
The reason breed-specific legislation doesn’t work is that the factors that influence aggression can occur for any breed or size of dog.
We also know that aggression is far more likely to be linked with inadequate training or socialisation.
For these reasons, we believe that education is the key to managing dogs in the community. This means educating dog owners, training and socialising dogs appropriately and helping the community at large to understand dog behaviour.
A healthy dog may show signs of fear or anxiety before aggression, therefore it’s important to monitor a dog’s body language.
When fearful or scared, a healthy dog will do things such as:
TRY to put space between itself and the thing that is causing the fear — this might involve moving, running away or hiding;
SHOW signs of stress — these include yawning, holding its tail high or tucked under its body, having a stiff body, ears back, closed mouth or showing the whites of its eyes;
LUNGE, bark or growl — this is usually a signal to a human or other animal that the dog is feeling threatened and is a sign to move away;
FREEZE or stare — this shows that the animal is uncomfortable and could shift into aggression of the threat persists.
Sometimes a dog that is in pain or unwell can suddenly become aggressive with no warning. It’s important to be aware of signs of aggression and to know what to do when you see them.
If your own dog is starting to show signs of aggression or you notice concerning changes in its behaviour, seek professional advice from your vet or an experienced animal behaviour specialist.
If approached by an unfamiliar dog, let it sniff you and remain calm. Avoid eye contact and don’t make loud noises or move suddenly. The dog should leave you alone if it doesn’t sense a threat.
If the dog attacks, try to deflect it by creating a barrier between you and the animal. Give it your jumper or a bag, or anything else you can distract it with. If the attack continues, turn sideways to the dog and project your face, neck and the front of your body with your arms.
If there are people around, calmly ask them for help.
If you witness a dog attacking somebody, call for help immediately without putting yourself or others in danger. Call emergency services or local rangers for assistance.
There are things you can do to help minimise the risk of aggression in your dog. Education is key, particularly for young children, so that they understand dog behaviour and how to prevent bites.
Children should never be left unsupervised with dogs.
SON ‘DEVASTATED’ AFTER HIS DOG KILLED DAD
At RSPCA Victoria we encourage all dog owners to learn about responsible dog ownership, basic dog behaviour and positive training techniques. These can all help prevent aggression.
Finally, socialising your dog with people and other animals is crucial because unsocialised dogs are more likely to show aggressive behaviour.
Make sure you socialise your puppy during the “critical socialisation period” and talk with your vet regularly for advice and guidance.
— Tegan McPherson is Head of Operations at RSPCA Victoria
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