Anatomy of a Dog Attack — How a Dog Sees an “Unprovoked” Attack
Ryan O’Meara, Editor of Britain’s fabulous K9 Magazine, has written a powerful piece that helps us all understand those supposedly “unprovoked” dog attacks. Thanks to Ryan for this article with you whcih was originally published on StopDogAttacks.com.
Anatomy of a Dog Attack
“Out of the blue, it attacked for no reason”
When a dog attack is reported we will often hear the same old phrases bandied about.
“It came out of the blue”
“It was totally unprovoked”
“We didn’t see it coming”
“It was totally out of character”
Ring any bells? Well let’s try and understand how and why a dog might attack someone.
Dogs rarely, if ever, attack for no reason. Us humans often misinterpret a dog attacking “out of the blue” and “without warning”‘ because we simply missed the signs.Let’s be clear about one thing. A dog who is prepared to bite someone has his reasons. Can we, as humans, justify those reasons using the social values of people? Probably not. But of course, dogs do not live their lives according to human social values.
Here is the story of John, Henry and Max.
John has no wife or children. For the last five years he’s lived with his best friend in the world a playful Labrador called Max.
John is exited today. Henry, an old friend from school who he hasn’t seen for many years is visiting.
John decides today would be a good day to get his garden tidied, make a good impression on his old school chum.
As John gets busy in amongst the weeds in the front garden, he spies his old mate making his way up the street.
Henry’s been looking forward to catching up with John for weeks and, as he’s never been to his home before, finds himself feeling somewhat jubilant to realise he’s managed to find the street on which John lives without too much trouble and can now relish the prospect of seeing his friend again as well as finally getting to meet the only true love of John’s life, the much talked about Max.
It’s a hot and sunny day and Henry is wearing his sunglasses. Further up the street he spots John working in his front garden.
John’s already noticed Henry making his way towards him and yells out, “Hi Henry. Fancy a beer?”
Henry shouts back, “Sounds just the job. Can you believe this heat?.”
As per usual, Max has been ‘helping’ John with his gardening exploits by digging holes of his own all over the lawn. John doesn’t mind. He only wanted the garden so he could have somewhere safe to play fetch with Max on sunny days like today. He’s never been one for trying to keep it immaculate when Max’s favourite hobby is trying to tunnel his way to China.
Max has stopped his gardening though. He’s become preoccupied by the exchange between John and Henry and he’s taken a trip the front gate to see what’s going on.
“I wonder who this bloke is?” ponders Max.
“Why would he and John be shouting at other?” he thinks to himself.
“I’d better be on full alert.” he concludes. “John’s just shouted at this chap so he obviously wants me to keep an eye out.”
Max fixes himself in position at the front gate and hoists his tail high into the air, he’s keen to let the oncoming stranger know he’s about.
John doesn’t notice.
Follow this link to read the rest of the post at Stopdogattacks.com.
Thank you for this. We were taught this growing up. Dogs are dogs and as much as we love them, they do see things differently. Pay heed people and BSL does not cure anything.
thanx for the informative article, i’m always interested in dog behavior articles!
This is a great article! Sometimes people stop us and say “I didn’t know they let Rottweilers be Service Dogs!” (even when someone is delighted, they are often surprised!) and I end up having to explain that Rotties were not bred as fighting or attack dogs, but as cattle movers/herders/protectors. I get a chance to show off how Big Bertha is calm and sweet, and not prone to biting at all- and sometimes, I get a chance to teach them how to approach a big dog, and not GET bitten! BSL is a silly thing, because it only addresses an overall fear, and not the possible act of being bitten or mauled.
Great article. That banner at the tope of the page would make a great bumper sticker. I know I would slap that on my car.
Thank you for this. This is so true. I recently (2 days ago) got bitten by an eskimo dog. Since I know a little about the dogs (rescue them) I know it was my fault. My Maya (boxer) and I came up to these two eskimo dogs (both of them are axtremely loud with both humans and other dogs) and the dogs started ataccking Maya. Instead of pulling Maya away I decided to stand in between them (I thought I knew what I was doing) with one of my hand holding the leash and the other one just hanging. So, once of the dogs (barking as crazy for me to get out of her sight the sooner the better) saw an opportunity to tell me using her teeth since I am not getting the fact that I need to leave with her bark. So, she bits me. Of course, it was my fault. I have never been bitten by any dog before, there is a first time for everything. I should have listened to the dogs.
Thank you again for that article. More people read it, better it is.
Julia
I feel sick after reading an article by Ryan O’Meara that dogs don’t attack for no reason! My 73 year old father went out for a newspaper whereupon a “dog lover” let her Lurcher of it’s lead as my father passed the dog attacked him – VICIOUSLY!!, he spent 12 days in hospital, had 4 operations and skin grafts – so to have to read that pathetic ,childish story about Max the dog was stomach churning