dog attacks....?

Question

This isn't really a question per say, but a random thought that i wanted feedback on. i was attacked today by a dog at my job (i work in a doggie day care type facility), and i do mean full on lunging. i have the bites and bruises to prove it. It was however equally his and my fault...:). He is a biggish dog-say of 70 or so pounds. I was just wondering about when a "pit bull" mauls someone (NO this dog was not a pit bull he was a lab mix) to death that is in the 20-40 age range, I was trying to put my head around how that is possible. This dog was aiming for my face, so i grabbed hold of his cheek (i know i know, probably not the best move, that is how he got me) and held him until he calmed down. I did not panic. Do you feel that it is the reaction of the attacked (as i do) has as much to do with the outcome as the actual attack? Do you agree that teaching people at a young age how to deal with dog attacks would lessen the odds of a fatal attack?

i know that children and the elderly or infirm don't have a shot with any dog attack (i also feel body language would be a n essential topic). I was most puzzled by deaths in th 20-say 40 range. healthy adults.

and goldens and poms have killed people. breed doesn't matter.

i knew he was a bit iffy, and had been becoming a little less predictable all week...which is actually the reason why i was handling him vs someone else...good thing too cuz it could have been much worse.

Answer 1

Well, when i was eight , I was at my Grandfather's because he had a purifier for my sick brother. We went there to get it but, my mom stayed in the yard for a few minutes so I called her and she said " Come in the Backyard! " And I was already afraid of dogs and he had too. It wasn't her fault. One was tied up and the other had a chew toy and left us alone. Well, my brother was petting the one tied to a tree so i started then when my brother left he jumped on me and bit me in the part of my chest near the armpit and the nipple. It didn't hurt as i was afraid. I was crying and screaming ( i guess it did hurt. ) and went to my mom ( i had on a white shirt ) and said " Mommy! The doggy bit me! " My grandfather said " no, he just scared ya. " I screamed " NO HE BIT ME! " So she lifted my shirt ( i was a little kid you perverts ) she saw the blood and said " Oh My God, Does it have Rabies?" He said " No. " So It was bleeding for a few hours and finally stoped. But, now that I am older I still have the scars and memories. Sorry, to hear that you were attacked too. It is terrible when people are attacked by dogs.

Answer 2

I'm a dog trainer that works for a day care business and I can't imagine how that attack could have been half your fault. If you knew you were dealing with a potentially aggressive dog (say if you were operating as a trainer in that circumstance), maybe, but if a dog has been approved for day care, you should expect to be able to act very naturally around the dog. Even if you stepped on the dog or something, it's *understandable* if it causes an unexpected trigger, but the intensity of the reaction is still on the dog, not on you. I certainly hope that the dog has been given his permanent walking papers from the day care. No matter what the circumstances, a dog who reacts that strongly to *anything* has no place in a day care environment.

Anyway, I like Arcangel's point. There is little value in teaching people how to react to a dog attack. Unless someone is a professional and dealing with potential attacks on a regular basis, there is no way that they'd have the presence of mind to think through the "right" way to respond to an attack. Heck, I'm not sure what *I'd* even do without being in the situation. But what COULD make a huge and dramatic difference is a better understanding of dog body language. For one example, a wagging tail does not necessarily mean dog is friendly and wants to be approached, but most regular people believe it does. Strange dogs should never be approached straight on with direct eye contact, but that's how we primates do it naturally. Even still, it's incredibly hard to override our own natural instincts. Even "nice dogs" can bite when stressed.

Answer 3

I don't think you reacted unreasonably to the attack. If you have to defend yourself from a lunging dog, all bets are off. The dog needs to be banned from the daycare. It aggressive toward humans. You are not to blame for this incident.

I agree the reactions of the attacked can affect the outcome. You would have been much worse off if you had panicked and ran. Grabbing the dog and holding on as calmly as you could was a good response.

Pits are very strong for their size. I'm always amazed when I handle them how strong they are compared to my much larger golden retrievers.

RESPONSE TO ADDITIONAL DETAILS

The CDC did a study on fatal dog bites between 1979 and 1996 which sheds some light on your question. I've provided a link. The reality is boys under age 9 are most likely to be involved in a fatal attack. Adults 20-40 are much less likely to be killed and when they are, more likely to be involved in multiple dog attacks, which may answer your question. Remember the SF case where the woman was killed by a Presa Canario? Two very aggressive dogs that both outweighed her. Oh and defending goldens, no goldens were involved in fatal bites in the CDC study. The only fataility I know of was a couple years ago involving a small child when an exuberant young dog pulled on her scarf and choked her by accident. It was not an aggression case.

Answer 4

When a dog attacks the do usually go for the head and throat but will bite any part of you available. They usually kill because the person is bitten so many times that they bleed out. Actually I don't think what you did by grabbing the cheek was so bad. You want to try to hurt the dog not just hold it at bay. In situations dogs can just over power you and you do not have a defense except hoping someone can come to your aid.

I really don't think you can teach a child anything that will save its life if attacked and over powered by a dog. Of course why should you have to? There is no reason for a known aggressive dog to be anywhere near people. Thinking of the Diane Whipple case in San Francisco where the two presa canario attacked and killed her in a matter of minutes. The owner (actually she was just handling the dogs as they were owned by someone in prison) was convicted of second degree murder, has conviction over turned by the judge, went to jail for 3 years and now the court has asked that the original conviction of second degree murder be reconsidered and if so would put her back in prison for about 15 years.

I'm curious as to what happened to the dog that attacked you? A dog that bites you because you hurt it is different from the aggressive dog that bit you. Did you do the responsible thing and report this dog to animal control? I would hope so. This dog if given the chance will certainly bite someone in the future.

In response to your additional details, breed does matter. Yes any breed can kill but statistically the breeds that kill the most are (mostly in order), pits, rotties, akitas, boxers, chows, dobermans, presa canarios, and wolf-hybrids.

Answer 5

Pit bulls are extremely musclar, strong and agile.

To add to this they have VERY strong jaws and a VERY low pain tolerance. They also (like many dogs) instinctively aim for the throat. This combination sometimes proves to be lethal.

Younger children may not have a shot other than to scream loudy and attract someone. Also, if you can stay calm enough and gouge the eyes it may deter it.

I watched 2 pits literally tear a poodle in half at a dog park once. There were 2 adults on each dog kicking and beating them and they did not let up until it was dead.

Breed em out! - Anyone who thinks its the owners fault and the breed has nothing to do with it is, well, an idiot. Research some statistics, why take the chance?!?

Answer 6

Yes I have bred Doberman Pinschers for over 15 years and most of the time when there is an incident it could have been avoided by proper education and I always give the people who buy one of my puppy information on the breed and dogs in general. Dogs are all about the challenge they will challenge weaker people given a stressful situation. A dog trained by a qualified person and instills the chain of command in the dog will almost never challenge a person. The other class of attack are due to emotionally disturbed dogs who will bite in fear unfortunately this is very difficult to train out of the animal and is probably best to put the animal down.

Answer 7

I say teach people from a young age how to deal with dogs that may be aggressive - teach them what aggressive behavior in dogs looks like.

I agree with you about the attacked party having an impact on the result of the attack. If it weren't true, why are people advised to play dead if attacked by a bear who feels threatened?

Answer 8

a child or older person stand no chance against most dogs.

Often a firm NO or GO HOME works.

running, screaming or the like just antagonize the dog on.

when an attack occurs, the victims are usually to terrified to remember any training.

Answer 9

I think educating children about dog attacks would only stand to frighten them more. You need to educate children on "body language" of dogs. Most dogs give signs as to when they are going to attack and when they've had enough. If you could get more people to realize these signs and to respect them you would have alot less attacks.

Answer 10

Yes i do i tihnk that is a great idea- very smart descion of yo unot ot panic reassuring to know thier are some people wo have the sense to block the dog