tag:theconversation.com,2011:/us/topics/dog-attacks-6622/articlesDog attacks – The Conversation2024-01-02T20:15:58Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2147222024-01-02T20:15:58Z2024-01-02T20:15:58ZOur dogs can terrify (and even kill) wildlife. Here’s how to be a responsible owner this summer<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566769/original/file-20231220-15-tjfs6b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=22%2C22%2C7326%2C4880&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>In Australia, dog ownership often goes hand-in-hand with a love for the great outdoors. Whether it’s walking on the beach, going camping, or having a barbecue in the park, we tend to keep our canine companions close as we soak up the sun.</p>
<p>But many of us forget a key fact about our dogs: they are predators. Even the fluffy little 5kg ball that spends most of its time in your lap derives from an apex predator – and its predatory instincts can kick in at any time. </p>
<p>And while many of our dogs don’t have the same hunting skills as their distant ancestors (who had to hunt for a living), wildlife doesn’t know that. </p>
<p>The impacts of domestic dogs on wildlife aren’t well studied, and likely vary depending on the environment. Nonetheless, there’s good evidence domestic dogs, when left unobserved, can have detrimental effects in the places they visit. </p>
<p>With that in mind, here are some things to consider next time you take your pup out for a bushwalk. </p>
<h2>How dogs impact ecosystems</h2>
<p>There are <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320717305967">five main ways</a> domestic dogs can negatively impact the natural environments they visit. These are:</p>
<ol>
<li>direct physical harm through predatory behaviour</li>
<li>disturbance through chasing and harassment</li>
<li>increased exposure to diseases</li>
<li>interbreeding, which can alter the gene pool of wild canid populations</li>
<li>increased competition for resources.</li>
</ol>
<p>The good news is the last three points aren’t particularly relevant in Australia. For one thing, there’s little overlap between diseases common in domestic dogs and Australian wildlife. There’s also little resource overlap, except perhaps in some areas where feral or semi-feral dogs live alongside dingoes.</p>
<p>And regarding potential interbreeding, while it was once thought this could threaten the dingo gene pool, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/mec.16998">recent research</a> suggests it’s not nearly as common as we thought.</p>
<p>As such, the main harms Aussie dog owners should focus on are physical harms through predatory behaviour and disturbance to ecosystems. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566775/original/file-20231220-25-hurgjv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566775/original/file-20231220-25-hurgjv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566775/original/file-20231220-25-hurgjv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=355&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566775/original/file-20231220-25-hurgjv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=355&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566775/original/file-20231220-25-hurgjv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=355&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566775/original/file-20231220-25-hurgjv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=446&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566775/original/file-20231220-25-hurgjv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=446&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566775/original/file-20231220-25-hurgjv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=446&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Owners have a responsibility to minimise their dog’s impact on people, wildlife and the environment.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Dogs can kill</h2>
<p>We know dogs are capable of injuring and killing wildlife, but it’s difficult to determine how common this is, because many events go unreported. While smaller animals such as lizards, gliders and possums are at higher risk, larger species such as koalas can also fall prey to dogs.</p>
<p><a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0206958">One study</a> that looked at wildlife coming into care at Queensland rehabilitation centres reported dog attacks as the cause in about 9% of cases. These cases often resulted in severe injury or death. </p>
<p>Dog owners should be especially wary of small, localised populations of vulnerable species. A <a href="https://ri.conicet.gov.ar/bitstream/handle/11336/202640/CONICET_Digital_Nro.29048152-7a5c-4ea2-8068-e73d42cba01d_B.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y">study</a> in Argentina’s Patagonia region details several cases of dogs decimating local penguin populations after gaining access to protected island areas during low tide.</p>
<p>Not to mention, dog attacks on wildlife can bring risk to dogs as well. Kangaroos can defend themselves with <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-16/mildura-man-fights-kangaroo-to-protect-dog/102983926">their powerful limbs</a>, monitor lizards are equipped with sharp claws and teeth, and many snake species <a href="https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/dogs-twice-as-likely-to-die-from-snake-bite-as-cats-research-finds-20200519-p54ufd.html">are highly venomous</a>.</p>
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<h2>The impact of harassment</h2>
<p>You might think it’s harmless for your dog to chase wildlife if it never manages to catch the animals it chases, but that isn’t true. Wild animals optimise their behaviours to meet their needs for foraging, breeding and resting, and being chased by a dog can disrupt this.</p>
<p>For example, certain threatened bird species will nest on the beach and find foraging opportunities based on the tides. One dog forcing one bird to abandon this important activity may have a small impact. But if it happens repeatedly throughout the day, it can become a <a href="https://wilderness-society.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Dogs-as-agents-of-disturbance-Michael-A.-Weston-and-Theodore-Stankowich.pdf">much bigger problem</a>. It may even drive animals out of the area. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2391219/">Research</a> conducted in Sydney has shown the mere presence of a leashed dog is enough to temporarily, yet dramatically, reduce the number of bird species detected.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566774/original/file-20231220-29-bhw14b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566774/original/file-20231220-29-bhw14b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566774/original/file-20231220-29-bhw14b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566774/original/file-20231220-29-bhw14b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566774/original/file-20231220-29-bhw14b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566774/original/file-20231220-29-bhw14b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=565&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566774/original/file-20231220-29-bhw14b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=565&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566774/original/file-20231220-29-bhw14b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=565&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Research shows wildlife are sensitive to the presence of domestic dogs.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Keep an eye on your furry pal</h2>
<p>Responsible dog ownership involves making sure our dogs have a minimal impact on others, including wildlife. How can we achieve this when our dogs are simply engaging in behaviours that come naturally to them, and may even be rewarding for them?</p>
<p>Training your dog to have general obedience – especially to come when called – is worth sinking considerable time and effort into. This can save both your dog and any wildlife they may be after. For instance, calling a dog away from a snake is one of the most effective ways of managing snake bite risk.</p>
<p>One <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333344634_Applying_Social_Marketing_to_Koala_Conservation_The_Leave_It_Pilot_Program">pilot study</a> in Victoria found positive outcomes from a program that helped owners train their dogs to be more obedient around wildlife. </p>
<p>That said, recall training is an art form, and recalling a dog that likes to run off and chase animals can be a huge challenge. </p>
<p>Another solution is to rely on leashes when passing sensitive areas, or where there’s a risk of wildlife harassment. In Australia, many beaches that allow dogs have signs with information about vulnerable birds in the area and how to protect them from your dog. </p>
<p>This could mean keeping your dog off rock platforms, leashing them when you see birds foraging on the beach, or keeping them out of fenced areas. Some areas are simply too vulnerable for dogs to run amok, so always look for signs and read them carefully.</p>
<p>If you’re hiking, use a long line (a leash that’s more than five metres long) and look for signs of your dog detecting something of interest. Often their ears will come up high and forward, and they will freeze and stare intently. </p>
<p>At this point, it doesn’t matter what they’re excited about: take the opportunity to leash them or shorten their leash, and get their attention before they can take off. Investing in a long leash will allow your dog more freedom without putting wildlife at risk. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566771/original/file-20231220-17-gfkjl5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566771/original/file-20231220-17-gfkjl5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566771/original/file-20231220-17-gfkjl5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566771/original/file-20231220-17-gfkjl5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566771/original/file-20231220-17-gfkjl5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566771/original/file-20231220-17-gfkjl5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566771/original/file-20231220-17-gfkjl5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566771/original/file-20231220-17-gfkjl5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Keep an eye out for signs your dog may be about to bolt.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>If your dog does injure an animal, you should quickly contact a wildlife rescue organisation or take the animal to a veterinary practice or sanctuary. For small animals, even minor injuries from a dog will usually require veterinary attention.</p>
<p>It’s our responsibility to be respectful visitors when we’re out in nature, and to make sure our dogs are too. </p>
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<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Melissa Starling owns Creature Teacher, an animal behaviour and training consulting business.</span></em></p>Being out in nature is beneficial for both us and our dogs – but we can’t forget about the wildlife that calls it home.Melissa Starling, Postdoctoral Researcher in Veterinary Science, University of SydneyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2096132023-08-14T13:03:58Z2023-08-14T13:03:58ZDog attacks on adults are rising – but science shows simply blaming breeds won’t help<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/541926/original/file-20230809-17-jla0xo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=27%2C63%2C6006%2C4007&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Dogs sometimes bite by accident in play. </span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/cheerful-golden-retriever-colored-rope-toy-1973428535">Kashaeva Irina/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Another terrifying dog attack video has <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12169277/Terrifying-moment-screaming-woman-attacked-two-control-dogs-owner-shouts-run.html">just gone viral</a> on social media. It shows three large bull breed dogs jumping up and grabbing onto a screaming woman in a park. </p>
<p>It is understandable that when such videos and media reports circulate there are <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12168827/American-Bully-XL-killer-breed-record-number-fatal-dog-attacks.html">renewed calls to ban</a> certain breeds. The latest is the <a href="https://www.doglistener.co.uk/the-american-xl-bully-dog">American Bully XL</a>, an evolution bred from the pit bull terrier, which can <a href="https://petrestart.com/american-bully-growth-chart/?utm_content=cmp-true">weigh up to 60kg</a>. But are breeds such as this really to blame for a rising dog bite problem? </p>
<p>Research shows that <a href="https://jech.bmj.com/content/72/4/331">one in four people</a> have been bitten by a dog in their lifetime but less than 1% of bites result in hospital admission. Our research showed that <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-81527-7">English hospital admissions</a> for being “bitten or struck by a dog” rose over a 20-year period from 1998 to 2018. This data concerns bites serious enough for hospital admission, not just emergency department attendance. Over a similar period, fatal dog bites in England and Wales <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0033350622003523?via%3Dihub#">averaged at about three per year</a>. </p>
<p>In 2022 there were ten fatalities. It’s not clear whether this is a new trend, or whether 2022 was a tragically anomalous year. </p>
<p>The rise in incidence of dog bites appears to be restricted to adults, where the numbers have tripled over 20 years. </p>
<p>In general, <a href="https://jech.bmj.com/content/72/4/331">men are more likely to be bitten</a> and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925753518319702?via%3Dihub">delivery workers are a common victim</a>. Dog attacks on <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-81527-7">middle-aged women</a> are increasing the fastest. We don’t know why this is, but it could be that <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/having-dog-life-crisis-many-women-40s-falling-mutt/">the profile of people who own</a> and spend time with dogs is changing. </p>
<p>We find higher rates in more <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-81527-7">deprived communities</a>. The reasons for this are unknown, but similar trends are seen in other types of injuries too. </p>
<h2>Are some breeds more aggressive than others?</h2>
<p>There is <a href="https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/7753/1/NewmanJen_June2012_7753.pdf">little consistent scientific evidence</a> that some breeds are inherently more aggressive than others. Our evaluations suggest that the breeds reported to bite are simply the most popular breeds in that region.</p>
<p>However, when we examine <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_dog_attacks_in_the_United_Kingdom">breeds involved in fatalities</a>, it is clear that most are large and powerful. That’s not to say smaller breeds cannot kill – they have been known to. As American XL Bullies are a new sub-breed of the American bulldog, there has been no scientific study of their bite risk and bite rates were rising long before they existed. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="German shepherd standing in country lane" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/542802/original/file-20230815-19-m5q5za.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/542802/original/file-20230815-19-m5q5za.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/542802/original/file-20230815-19-m5q5za.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/542802/original/file-20230815-19-m5q5za.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/542802/original/file-20230815-19-m5q5za.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/542802/original/file-20230815-19-m5q5za.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/542802/original/file-20230815-19-m5q5za.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">There is a lot of variation between dogs of the same breed.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/german-shepherd-715885999">Monika Chodak/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>They and the other American bulldogs and related pit bulls do feature highly in fatalities lists. Yet so do rottweilers, German shepherds and Malamutes. Kenneth Baker, the home secretary responsible for the <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/65/contents">Dangerous Dogs Act</a> that banned pit bull terriers admitted <a href="https://archive.org/details/turbulentyearsmy0000bake">in his autobiography</a> that a ban on rottweilers, dobermans and Alsatians would have “infuriated” the middle classes. A confounding factor here is breed distribution, as powerful breeds have long been linked to <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27690167">deprived communities</a> where violence and injuries already centralise. Some evidence links these breeds to <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10611-011-9294-5">status or criminal use</a>, but most are family pets.</p>
<p>The majority of dog bites are from a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787817301168">dog known to the victim</a>. Often this is <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/coa.12094">the family pet</a> and bites happen during stroking, restraining or just play. The dog is often responding to discomfort, <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/2/318">whether pain</a> or fear. </p>
<h2>What can we do to prevent dog bites?</h2>
<p>Genetic tendencies in <a href="https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/7753/1/NewmanJen_June2012_7753.pdf">breeding lines</a> are an important factor so when choosing a dog, it’s important to <a href="https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1136/vr.100138">view and assess</a> the parents of the puppy. Dogs of the same breed <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abk0639">vary widely</a> in their behaviour. Behaviour tendencies are inherited from parents.</p>
<p>Look for signs of nervousness or shyness around people, as well as outright aggression (barking, growling, snapping). Dogs from <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159118302697?via%3Dihub">puppy farms</a> in particular are prone to health and behavioural problems. Unfortunately, many puppies who come from these mass-producing unscrupulous breeders are <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/new-scam-illegal-puppy-farmers-26881874">fraudulently marketed</a> as from a loving family home. </p>
<p>Banning more breeds won’t work. New varieties will fill the gap, like what happened with the pit bull. </p>
<p>Dog bites are a complex societal problem and we cannot expect a quick legislative fix (such as banning a breed or reintroduction of dog licences) to solve it. Dog licensing would be prohibitively expensive to manage and without strict enforcement, would be easy to circumvent. </p>
<p>Clever environmental design could go a long way towards preventing people and dogs from being exposed to risky situations, for example installing external letterboxes as standard. </p>
<p>People often tout education as the answer. But it’s a small part of the solution. Public education needs enforcement measures and supportive policy to work. Improving people’s expectations of what good dog welfare looks like is key to minimise fearful and frustrating situations for dogs. This includes not abusing dogs in the name of training and providing sufficient exercise and space. Training methods must be <a href="https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/training/techniques/positive-reinforcement-training-with-rewards#:%7E:text=Training%20with%20rewards%20is%20all,repeat%20the%20behaviour%20in%20future.">kind and reward-based</a>, as punishment-based methods are associated with <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.00508/full">reduced success</a> and <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0225023">greater stress</a>, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2019.00023/full">fear</a> and aggression. </p>
<p>Educational efforts should be focused on addressing the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787815001185">perception that “it wouldn’t happen to me”</a> and introducing new social norms such as <a href="https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/at-home/dog-and-child-safety">never leaving children alone</a> with dogs. There are lots of resources about safe interactions with dogs on the <a href="https://merseydogsafe.co.uk/">Mersey Dog Safe website</a>.</p>
<p>Don’t fall into the trap of thinking “my dog wouldn’t bite anyone”. Every day, dogs who have never bitten someone before, do.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/209613/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Carri Westgarth receives funding from Dogs Trust, Medical Research Council, Waltham Petcare Science Institute, BSAVA Petsavers, Defra, Animal Welfare Foundation, Forthglade Pet Food. She is a Full Member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>John Tulloch does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Different dog breeds are often blamed for increases in dog attacks. But science shows reality is more complicated.Carri Westgarth, Chair in Human-Animal Interaction, University of LiverpoolJohn Tulloch, Lecturer, University of LiverpoolLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1905392022-09-14T03:02:46Z2022-09-14T03:02:46ZReminder: kangaroos are ‘vegetarian gladiators’ with kicks that can kill. An expert explains why they attack<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/484465/original/file-20220914-4740-683yx2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=54%2C34%2C4530%2C2543&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Harrison Broadbent/Unsplash</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Kangaroos can be dangerous. This week a 77-year-old man tragically died in Western Australia after an attack by a kangaroo, which was <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-13/suspected-kangaroo-attack-leaves-man-dead-near-albany-in-wa/101432566">reported to be</a> his pet. He is believed to be the first person killed in a kangaroo attack since 1936.</p>
<p>Kangaroos are wild animals. It’s important to remember that while they can make interesting pets, they have <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2020/12/16/whats-up-skip-kangaroos-really-can-talk-to-us.html">never been domesticated</a>, so their behaviour is driven mostly by instinct. </p>
<p>All kangaroos are large animals with powerful arms and massive feet. The largest is the iconic red kangaroo, which can easily tower over a tall human. Kangaroos use their arms, claws and feet as weapons in male-male combat, and for self-defence against predators such as dingoes and wedge-tailed eagles.</p>
<p>Indeed, a pet kangaroo may perceive its human owner as a rival kangaroo or a potential predator, or perhaps both. As a result, kangaroos sometimes attack people, causing nasty and even fatal injuries. </p>
<p>There are three species of kangaroo and all are known to attack humans: the red kangaroo, the eastern grey kangaroo and the western grey kangaroo. I’ve studied kangaroo behaviour since the 1970s, with a focus on human-kangaroo interactions. Here’s a reminder of why you should do your best to keep a respectful distance of them. </p>
<h2>Vegetarian gladiators</h2>
<p>Kangaroo attacks are rare, but not unheard of. Indeed, <a href="https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/-/media/OEH/Corporate-Site/Documents/Animals-and-plants/Native-animals/living-with-kangaroos-100968.pdf">fewer than five people</a> seek medical attention each year in New South Wales from kangaroo-related injuries.</p>
<p>While a kangaroo’s first response is usually to flee, <a href="https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/-/media/OEH/Corporate-Site/Documents/Animals-and-plants/Native-animals/living-with-kangaroos-100968.pdf">it will attack</a> if feels cornered or if it sees a human as a sparring partner. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. </p>
<p>They can cause serious injury. Their sharp claws can make deep cuts, and their powerful kicks can cause severe bruising and internal injuries. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/484469/original/file-20220914-4889-lg3rio.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/484469/original/file-20220914-4889-lg3rio.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/484469/original/file-20220914-4889-lg3rio.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/484469/original/file-20220914-4889-lg3rio.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/484469/original/file-20220914-4889-lg3rio.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/484469/original/file-20220914-4889-lg3rio.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=499&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/484469/original/file-20220914-4889-lg3rio.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=499&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/484469/original/file-20220914-4889-lg3rio.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=499&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">Kangaroos are essentially peace-loving herbivores, but will attack if cornered or provoked.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
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</figure>
<p>But don’t get me wrong, kangaroos are essentially peace-loving herbivores. Their days are spent resting in patches of sunshine in winter or shade in summer, then leaving to feed in evening twilight and much of the night, through to early morning. </p>
<p>They are gregarious creatures, forming loose mobs of both sexes and all ages. Only two things disturb their peaceful foraging: fighting among males and the threat of becoming prey. </p>
<p>Kangaroos can live for up to around 20 years and they grow throughout their lives. Males grow faster than females, which means males can become very large indeed. An old man kangaroo may <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/red-kangaroo">weigh 90 kilograms</a> or more and easily stand more than two metres tall.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/is-that-selfie-really-worth-it-why-face-time-with-wild-animals-is-a-bad-idea-96272">Is that selfie really worth it? Why face time with wild animals is a bad idea</a>
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<p>As males grow, their body proportions also change, giving them huge shoulders, long arms and sharp claws. Their feet grow less in relative terms, but are still formidable, with a long, sharp nail at the tip. </p>
<p>Male kangaroos use these features as weapons in male-male combat, as they kick, claw and wrestle each other in fights for dominance. Most fighting takes the form of ritualised, almost gentlemanly bouts as they hone their skills and learn their place in the hierarchy. </p>
<p>However, serious fights can still occur and males usually carry scars, torn ears and other injuries. Occasionally, these fights are fatal.</p>
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<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WCcLMNcWZOc?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">Kangaroo boxing fight | BBC Earth.</span></figcaption>
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<h2>Standing up to dogs</h2>
<p>Other than humans, <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/kangaroo-attacked-and-killed-by-dog-in-south-morang/news-story/6d8f66242f23ec70d9743179b1848c29">dogs</a> – including large pets and dingoes – are the main predators of kangaroos. Dogs usually operate in packs to attack and kill kangaroos by running them down. </p>
<p>Kangaroos avoid attacks by maintaining vigilance, giving warning foot-thumps and fleeing to safety. Large male kangaroos are less likely to flee and may use their size and weapons to defend themselves against any dog that comes too close. </p>
<p>Kangaroos will also seek refuge in streams and dams, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2021-04-10/animal-myths-dogs-kangaroos-cockatoos/100038384">standing in the water</a> while the dogs pace the shore. </p>
<p>A large male kangaroo has the height and upper-body strength to kill any dog that enters the water, as the first European colonists learned when their hunting dogs were drowned.</p>
<p>Domestic dogs and kangaroos do not mix. Many attacks on people occur when a kangaroo defends itself against a dog, then the owner <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/man-punches-kangaroo-saves-dog-australia">tries to intervene</a>. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-dingo-fence-from-space-satellite-images-show-how-these-top-predators-alter-the-desert-155642">The dingo fence from space: satellite images show how these top predators alter the desert</a>
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<h2>When kangaroos and humans interact</h2>
<p>When female kangaroos are found dead or injured on the side of the road, or sometimes tangled in a fence, they often have a joey still alive in the pouch. Most people call wildlife rescue organisations to care for the joey, while some may take the joey home to raise as a pet.</p>
<p>In Australia, a permit is usually required to keep a kangaroo as a pet, but regulations differ across the states and territories. </p>
<p>Hand-rearing a joey takes time and devotion, but can be rewarding as the youngster becomes imprinted on its human foster mother and faithfully follows them around. </p>
<p>As the youngster grows, it becomes more independent. By the time it reaches sexual maturity around 4 years of age, a hand-reared male is much bigger and is now quite a handful. Its foster mother could then become a sparring partner in practice fights, which are increasingly rough and dangerous as the young male continues to grow. </p>
<p>Another way we come into close contact with kangaroos is when we deliberately feed them. Kangaroos rapidly habituate to humans, losing their natural fear of us as they seek an instant food reward. </p>
<p>This reached has a dangerous extreme on the grounds of the Morisset Hospital on the New South Wales Central Coast, where domestic and international tourists <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2018/05/02/please-stop-feeding-the-kangaroos-or-risk-getting-mauled-australian-officials-warn-tourists/">deliberately feed</a> the wild, resident kangaroos to get close-up photos. This unregulated activity has led to a <a href="https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/picnic-areas/morisset-picnic-area#:%7E:text=For%20your%20own%20safety%2C%20please,toilets%20at%20the%20picnic%20area.">number of attacks</a> on people.</p>
<h2>Mixed messages</h2>
<p>We share our unusual upright posture with kangaroos. This might make kangaroos endearing to us. However, the message received by the kangaroo is quite different. A kangaroo probably sees our vertical stance as a threat, so may lash out in self defence if we approach. </p>
<p>An adult male kangaroo may view our stance as a serious challenge, and if large and confident, may escalate and attack. </p>
<p>This reaction gave us the classic boxing kangaroo, <a href="https://blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/such-was-life/fighting-jack-melbournes-first-boxing-kangaroo/">once a feature</a> of sideshows around Australia in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. The kangaroo wore gloves to protect the human boxer from sharp claws, and the human kept well out of range of a stranglehold or raking kick. </p>
<p>Today we have a more enlightened view of animal behaviour, and recognise that kangaroos are fundamentally wild animals and are potentially dangerous. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/-/media/OEH/Corporate-Site/Documents/Animals-and-plants/Native-animals/living-with-kangaroos-100968.pdf">If a kangaroo attacks</a>, keep an eye on it and get away as quickly as possible while keeping low in a crouch, because the kangaroo is less likely to give chase. If the attack persists and you can’t escape, drop down low, curl into a ball, protect your head with your arms and call for help.</p>
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<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/10-million-animals-are-hit-on-our-roads-each-year-heres-how-you-can-help-them-and-steer-clear-of-them-these-holidays-149733">10 million animals are hit on our roads each year. Here’s how you can help them (and steer clear of them) these holidays</a>
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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/190539/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Graeme Coulson works for Macropus Consulting. </span></em></p>Kangaroos are essentially peace-loving herbivores, but they’re known to attack if it feels cornered – or even if it sees a human as a sparring partner.Graeme Coulson, Honorary Principal Fellow, The University of MelbourneLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1824192022-05-11T04:00:23Z2022-05-11T04:00:23ZTo pat or not to pat? How to keep interactions between kids and dogs safe<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/462219/original/file-20220510-16-9fcoeo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=22%2C0%2C2560%2C1705&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/_c_I5GMZYR0">Justin Veenema/Unsplash</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>With dog attacks in the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-to-do-in-a-dog-attack-and-why-they-hate-posties-so-much-182289">news over recent weeks</a>, some parents may be wondering about how to keep interactions between kids and dogs safe – and how to keep everyone happy. </p>
<p>A <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12630">review</a> of hospitalisations due to dog bites in Australia found children under nine years presented most often. Dog attacks involving children often <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/family-dogs-responsible-for-most-attacks-new-research-shows-20180511-p4zeu9.html">involve the family dog</a> or a dog known to the child. </p>
<p>While we need more research around the events leading to these attacks, it’s likely a combination of a series of unfortunate events, rather than an inherently “bad” dog. Any dog can bite. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/what-to-do-in-a-dog-attack-and-why-they-hate-posties-so-much-182289">What to do in a dog attack – and why they hate posties so much</a>
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<p>Every dog and every child interaction is different, but here are general tips for good interactions and outcomes.</p>
<h2>Teach children how to interact with dogs safely</h2>
<p>You wouldn’t run up and hug a stranger in the street – let’s not do it to dogs. It is vital children learn how to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69S797ZfsRM">approach dogs safely</a>. </p>
<p>Children should always stop a few metres from a dog they want to pat and ask the responsible person for permission, before also asking the dog. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A cute dog looks for its owner." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/462231/original/file-20220510-16-7vkirw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/462231/original/file-20220510-16-7vkirw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/462231/original/file-20220510-16-7vkirw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/462231/original/file-20220510-16-7vkirw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/462231/original/file-20220510-16-7vkirw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/462231/original/file-20220510-16-7vkirw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/462231/original/file-20220510-16-7vkirw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Dogs might not be comfortable with strangers approaching.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/heSOt1KcfCE">Arten Baliakin/Unsplash</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>You can ask dogs if they want a pat by remembering “<a href="https://www.thefamilydog.com/stop-the-77">pat, pet, pause</a>”. </p>
<p><strong>1. Pat</strong>. Pat your leg to encourage a dog over.</p>
<p><strong>2. Pet</strong>. If the dog comes to say “hi!”, give them a gentle pat on the shoulder or side. Never pat a dog on the head (dogs hate it!). Stand side-on so the dog can always move away.</p>
<p><strong>3. Pause</strong>. Stop after three pats (or three seconds), and wait. If the dog reconnects (leans in or bumps the hand) then pat again for another three seconds. If the dog remains still, leans away or moves away, they don’t want to be patted (at that moment – you can try again later). </p>
<p>Children (and adults) should pat, pet, pause in every interaction with a dog – even the family dog. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-how-can-we-tell-if-an-animal-is-happy-without-a-wagging-tail-150374">Curious Kids: how can we tell if an animal is happy without a wagging tail?</a>
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<h2>Interactions should be short, supervised and managed carefully</h2>
<p>Not all dogs are used to kids. Some dogs may be very social and friendly, but not know how to interact with children safely.</p>
<p>Keep social, friendly dogs on-lead or use a play pen (or fence) to keep both dogs and children safe. Use lots of tasty treats to reinforce the dog for keeping four paws on the floor. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Girl pats dog." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/462229/original/file-20220510-12-tnwtco.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/462229/original/file-20220510-12-tnwtco.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/462229/original/file-20220510-12-tnwtco.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/462229/original/file-20220510-12-tnwtco.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/462229/original/file-20220510-12-tnwtco.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/462229/original/file-20220510-12-tnwtco.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/462229/original/file-20220510-12-tnwtco.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Some dogs aren’t used to kids. Give three pats and pause to check.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/1wAGVmYBxwQ">Annie Spratt/Unsplash</a></span>
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<p>Things can escalate quickly if children get excited or if a dog starts zooming around. Keeping interactions short (and supervised) reduces the chance of somebody being hurt. </p>
<p>Be very careful with very large or heavy breeds and young children who can get knocked over easily.</p>
<h2>Learn to speak dog</h2>
<p>Dogs communicate well, if we learn to listen. Dogs show signs of fear by moving away, cowering or tucking their tail between their legs. If they flick their ears back, turn their head away or close their mouths it means they’re not comfortable. </p>
<p>If we miss these signs, a dog might <a href="https://www.kendalshepherd.com/books/the-canine-commandments/">growl or even bite</a>. </p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1485907325592473602"}"></div></p>
<p>A wagging tail doesn’t always mean a dog is happy – “good” wags are mid-height, slow(ish), with a relaxed body. Dogs also wag high when tense, or very low when very nervous (both signs to say “hi!” from a distance). </p>
<p>Research shows young children find it difficult to identify dog body language – signs of fear or stress – although older children can <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2018.00257/full?fbclid=IwAR3awVFELhZkTVLEev3Jg_NIae_mRZHCC7h86cFmJDifWSoq5MvBtEtzUh0">increase this knowledge with education</a>. It’s up to adults to supervise, watch both dog and child closely, and stop the interaction if the dog or child isn’t coping. </p>
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<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/yes-your-dog-can-understand-what-youre-saying-to-a-point-173953">Yes, your dog can understand what you're saying — to a point</a>
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<p>It’s important never to punish a dog for growling. Growling is serious (especially around children) and needs to be addressed quickly with careful management and training. However, it is clear communication. Punishing a growl stops the growl, but not the underlying discomfort (or fear) behind it. This means a dog might not give any warning before biting.</p>
<p>Ignoring signs of stress or fear, or finding it funny, puts everybody at risk. Stop the interaction immediately and contact a qualified, experienced dog trainer.</p>
<h2>Respect their space</h2>
<p>Dogs in their bed, or eating, need their own space. These are dogs’ safe zones – kids should not approach. </p>
<p>Kids also need a “safe” space or time away from the dogs (for example, in their bedroom). </p>
<h2>Dogs in public spaces aren’t public property</h2>
<p>Just because a dog is in public doesn’t mean it’s comfortable with strangers approaching. Even if a dog is walking with children, they may not want to meet new children. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A dog tethered to a bike waits for its owner." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/462221/original/file-20220510-24-2xsbrz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/462221/original/file-20220510-24-2xsbrz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/462221/original/file-20220510-24-2xsbrz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/462221/original/file-20220510-24-2xsbrz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/462221/original/file-20220510-24-2xsbrz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/462221/original/file-20220510-24-2xsbrz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/462221/original/file-20220510-24-2xsbrz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Say hello from a distance for dogs tied up or without their parents present.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/xNOslF_987U">Anthony Fomin/Unsplash</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Always ask the owner of the dog. If the dog is tied up in front of a shop (or you can’t see their parent), say hello another day.</p>
<p>Sometimes pet parents feel pressure to ensure their dog says “hi!” to children, but always listen to the dog, and feel empowered to say no to pats from children. It won’t hurt to miss this one interaction, and offers a learning opportunity for kids to respect the space of animals.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/five-top-tips-to-consider-before-getting-a-canine-companion-173961">Five top tips to consider before getting a canine companion</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/182419/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Petra Edwards is currently employed with RSPCA South Australia.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Susan Hazel is affiliated with the Dog & Cat Management Board of South Australia and the RSPCA South Australia.</span></em></p>You wouldn’t run up and hug a stranger in the street – let’s not do it to dogs. Here’s how to keep kids safe and dogs happy during chance encounters.Petra Edwards, PhD researcher, University of AdelaideSusan Hazel, Senior Lecturer, School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of AdelaideLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1822892022-05-02T07:07:55Z2022-05-02T07:07:55ZWhat to do in a dog attack – and why they hate posties so much<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/460714/original/file-20220502-19-qmtfbq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=31%2C23%2C2603%2C2085&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://image.shutterstock.com/image-photo/angry-dog-bared-teeth-600w-53465653.jpg">Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Australia Post workers are suffering more dog attacks than before with <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-02/australia-post-dog-owner-plea/101031434">1,170 incidents</a> so far this financial year — up 400 on the same time in 2021.</p>
<p>The delivery service says around five employees are attacked each work day, <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/posties-bloodied-traumatised-in-rising-dog-attack-figures-20220430-p5ahge.html">causing</a> serious injuries and lasting emotional trauma. </p>
<p>What emergency steps should you take if you witness a dog attack? And what should you do if that dog is attacking you? </p>
<h2>When dogs attack</h2>
<p>While the news from Australia Post is distressing, it’s important to remember that the majority of the millions of dogs in Australia don’t bite. For the dogs that do attack, it’s usually because they are <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8532738/">acting on fear or anxiety</a> rather than aggression. </p>
<p>In the <a href="https://theconversation.com/from-wolf-to-chihuahua-new-research-reveals-where-the-dingo-sits-on-the-evolutionary-timeline-of-dogs-181605">centuries</a> since we first domesticated and trained dogs to be our pets and companions, we’ve shaped their natural behaviour so they can share our lives, homes and environment. But we can’t breed or train out all of a dog’s natural instincts: many will protect their space – and will escalate their response if they feel threatened. </p>
<p>We don’t have good national statistics on dog bites. The Australian Companion Animal Council has <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1753-6405.12630#:%7E:text=The%20Australian%20Companion%20Animal%20Council,those%20being%20hospitalised%20each%20year">estimated</a> more than 100,000 people in Australia are attacked by dogs each year, with around 12,000–14,000 of them requiring medical treatment for injuries, and around 10% of those hospitalised.</p>
<p>In the United Kingdom, dog attacks are <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-81527-7#:%7E:text=The%20incidence%20of%20dog%20bite,tripling%20of%20incidence%20in%20adults.">increasing in adults</a> rather than kids, though the reasons for this are unclear. </p>
<p>UK researchers have <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925753518319702">found</a> 80% of occupational bites occurred during mail delivery, vet or kennel work, or caring for people who have dogs. In high-risk settings, specialist equipment like an air blaster might be used during an attack. But the general public (and posties) don’t have access to these. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/from-wolf-to-chihuahua-new-research-reveals-where-the-dingo-sits-on-the-evolutionary-timeline-of-dogs-181605">From wolf to chihuahua: new research reveals where the dingo sits on the evolutionary timeline of dogs</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>3 things to do if someone else is being attacked by a dog</h2>
<p>Many people picture specific dog breeds as aggressive and more likely to attack, but this is an unhelpful stereotype. The truth is, <a href="https://cdn.dogandcatboard.com.au/dcmb/docs/Dogs/Agression-FS.pdf">any type of dog can bite</a>. Here’s what to do:</p>
<ol>
<li>keep yourself safe. If you intervene, you might get bitten </li>
<li>distract the dog (call out from a safe distance, beep your car horn, spray the animal with a hose if there’s one handy and it’s safe to do so)</li>
<li>call for emergency medical care if necessary.</li>
</ol>
<p>There are also two important things to do after a dog attack: </p>
<ol>
<li>provide medical attention. Every dog bite will need medical attention, to treat injury and to prevent infection </li>
<li>report it. Most local councils also require every dog attack be <a href="https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/animal-welfare-victoria/dogs/dog-attacks-dangerous-and-menacing-dogs/dog-attacks">reported</a>. <a href="https://queenslandlawhandbook.org.au/the-queensland-law-handbook/living-and-working-in-society/neighbourhood-disputes/rules-about-neighbourhood-animals/">Local authorities</a> may collect evidence, interview witnesses and follow up. They might impose a <a href="https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/animal-welfare-victoria/dogs/dog-attacks-dangerous-and-menacing-dogs/owning-a-menacing-dog">dangerous dog order</a> or tell the owner to install or repair fencing. Roaming dogs can also be <a href="https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/public/dogs-cats/responsible-pet-ownership/dog-attack-reporting/">reported</a> and picked up by authorities. </li>
</ol>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1520941861099167744"}"></div></p>
<h2>What if the dog is attacking you?</h2>
<p>If you see a dog that looks agitated and is running towards you, the most important thing is not to react or scream. Stay calm and avoid eye contact. Move away (out of their space) as calmly and slowly as possible. </p>
<p>If a dog is attacking in full flight, best to stay upright, remain still and call for help. If you have time, placing something between you and them (a clipboard, jacket, wheelie bin) can help. If you end up on the ground, curl up into a ball as tightly as possible. </p>
<p>Most dogs have good “<a href="https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/behavior/reinforce-your-dogs-bite-inhibition/">bite inhibition</a>”. If a dog is really scared and an approaching person doesn’t recognise the signs, they will likely bite once as a warning or reaction, but they won’t necessarily keep biting if you can move away. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/460718/original/file-20220502-24-i63kr2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="dog bite wound with bandage pulled back" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/460718/original/file-20220502-24-i63kr2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/460718/original/file-20220502-24-i63kr2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/460718/original/file-20220502-24-i63kr2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/460718/original/file-20220502-24-i63kr2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/460718/original/file-20220502-24-i63kr2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/460718/original/file-20220502-24-i63kr2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/460718/original/file-20220502-24-i63kr2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Dog bites can puncture skin and cause muscle or tendon injury.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://image.shutterstock.com/image-photo/detail-dog-bite-wound-on-600w-1863838855.jpg">Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/a-strong-eyed-style-what-makes-australian-muster-dogs-unique-177143">A strong-eyed style: what makes Australian muster dogs unique</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Why do they hate posties so much?</h2>
<p>Dogs don’t hate posties specifically, but many dogs love to chase. Some may chase postal workers on bikes then get overexcited and bite by accident in an overstimulated state. Other dogs may not appreciate strangers entering their space unannounced, and the unpredictability of visits can make things tough too. </p>
<p>Posties might consider taking dog treats on their rounds and throw them each time they visit properties with dogs. This can create a positive association with their daily visit (or sometimes, throwing a handful of treats to distract an approaching dog can help buy time to back away). They could also carry a map and make note of properties with problem dogs, so they can be prepared or owners notified to make arrangements for delivery days. </p>
<p>Many attacks are preventable. In the UK, where postal workers often <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925753518319702">get bitten when they reach</a> into private mailboxes that are open on the other side, they sometimes use <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2038644/Postman-protector-New-gadget-saves-dogs-taste-fingers.html">long pegs</a> to push through mail. In the United States, <a href="https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2020-08-01/postal-service-implements-dog-bite-prevention-program">paw stickers</a> have been used to warn postal workers of a dog in the area. </p>
<p>Australia Post <a href="https://auspost.com.au/about-us/corporate-responsibility/our-people/safety/dog-safety">recommends</a> keeping your dog in a separate room, on a leash or distracting them with a toy or treat when the postie arrives. They suggest not letting children answer the door in case dogs push their way past. If dogs are outside, they should be kept securely away from the letterbox. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/460717/original/file-20220502-12-62jigo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Postal worker on motor delivery bike" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/460717/original/file-20220502-12-62jigo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/460717/original/file-20220502-12-62jigo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/460717/original/file-20220502-12-62jigo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/460717/original/file-20220502-12-62jigo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/460717/original/file-20220502-12-62jigo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/460717/original/file-20220502-12-62jigo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/460717/original/file-20220502-12-62jigo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Posties are being attacked by dogs in greater numbers.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://photos-cdn.aap.com.au/Image/20140904001025157457?path=/aap_dev15/device/imagearc/2014/09-04/27/84/27/aapimage-6gw3y99jfoi1bjka5dz2_layout.jpg">AAP Image/Australia Post</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/182289/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Susan Hazel is affiliated with the Dog & Cat Management Board of South Australia and the RSPCA South Australia.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Petra Edwards is employed by the RSPCA South Australia.</span></em></p>More and more Australia Post workers are reporting dog bites in the course of their work. What should you do if you witness a dog attack? And what if you’re the victim?Susan Hazel, Senior Lecturer, School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of AdelaidePetra Edwards, PhD researcher, University of AdelaideLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1184052019-06-07T11:46:02Z2019-06-07T11:46:02ZChildren often misread fear in dogs – making a bite more likely<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/278492/original/file-20190607-52776-1l6rf98.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C5000%2C3323&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/young-husky-siberian-dog-sniffing-human-512360491?src=T92URxJJmR3eWaDoy3GCVg-1-9">Twinsterphoto/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The benefits of growing up with a pet are <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/14/3/234">well documented</a> – these days dogs are even used in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128012925000146">the classroom</a>. That said, we sometimes forget that dogs can still present a risk.</p>
<p>Children <a href="https://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/14/5/296">under the age of 10</a> are most at risk of being bitten by a dog. It’s difficult to accurately estimate how often children are bitten, as not all bites result in children being taken to accident and emergency units, but bites can often lead to <a href="https://www.ijsurgery.com/index.php/isj/article/view/652">serious injuries</a> with unpleasant psychological effects, including <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14722529">symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder</a>.</p>
<p>Children may be at greater risk of being bitten by a dog because they struggle to recognise emotions in dogs <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2752/175303714X13837396326413">and can’t interpret their warning behaviour</a>. Many children may <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21885057">know little about how to behave safely around dogs</a> and risk bites more often than adults.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/dogs-in-the-classroom-coming-to-a-school-near-you-soon-114392">Dogs in the classroom – coming to a school near you soon?</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>When researchers have studied how to prevent dog bites, they found that children can be taught to <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2018.00257/full">recognise a dog’s emotional state</a> more accurately and to <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jcop.10038">recall safety rules</a>, like not approaching a dog when they’re eating or chained up. But knowing this <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jpepsy/article/37/3/272/918204">didn’t make the children more likely to behave safely</a> around dogs. Despite educational campaigns, the incidence of bog bites continued. Clearly, something was missing.</p>
<h2>The fear factor</h2>
<p><a href="https://tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08927936.2019.1598656">New research</a> could prove key to preventing bites. More than 100 children between the ages of four and six were shown images and video clips of dogs showing happy, frightened and angry behaviour. Children were asked what emotion they thought the dog was feeling and would they “pat, play, cuddle, brush or sit next to each dog?”</p>
<p>Although most of the children said they wouldn’t approach an angry dog, they were as likely to say that they would approach a frightened dog as they would a happy one. This desire to approach frightened dogs and cuddle them could explain why children are at a high risk of being bitten.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.allpetseducationandtraining.com.au/uploads/2/7/9/4/27949797/ladder_of_aggression.pdf">Dogs were classified as fearful</a> when they held their head low, dropped their tail and possibly tucked it between their legs. Some wrinkled their nose and curled their lips to show their teeth. Dogs doing this are likely to react aggressively if approached, especially if they feel <a href="http://www.thebalancedcanine.com/how-handle-fear-fear-aggression-dogs/">threatened by the approach</a>. A child might approach a frightened dog with kind intentions, but the dog may perceive their advance as a threat and respond aggressively, putting the child at risk.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/278485/original/file-20190607-52739-1srvkmq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/278485/original/file-20190607-52739-1srvkmq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=444&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/278485/original/file-20190607-52739-1srvkmq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=444&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/278485/original/file-20190607-52739-1srvkmq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=444&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/278485/original/file-20190607-52739-1srvkmq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=558&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/278485/original/file-20190607-52739-1srvkmq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=558&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/278485/original/file-20190607-52739-1srvkmq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=558&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Recognising when a dog is scared and behaving appropriately is key to preventing a bite.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/frightened-stray-dog-198253955?src=UOkHcAJohN9kKOgJC9d3yg-1-8">Katoosha/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Among young children, dog bites commonly follow <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17916894">positive interaction initiated by the child</a>, such as a hug. This could include a well-intentioned approach to a dog showing some signs of fear. It’s vital to teach children to be cautious about approaching dogs that look scared. This may seem strange to the child, who might think that the dog experiences emotions in a similar way to themselves and would find physical comfort reassuring.</p>
<p>This finding is especially important, as children are most commonly bitten by a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21444335">dog that is known to them</a> and while under the supervision of an <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21444335">adult</a>. Educating parents about the risks of approaching frightened dogs – and the importance of teaching their children about them – could prevent dog bites.</p>
<p>Of course parents want to teach their child to be kind to animals – especially the family pet – but this research suggests that it is even more important that parents teach their children to recognise that the way a dog experiences emotions and may behave is quite different to a child’s own experiences. Teaching this could improve the well-being of dogs and help keep our children safe.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/118405/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Sarah Rose does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Parents want their children to be kind to animals, but a hug looks very different to a frightened dog.Sarah Rose, Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Child Development, Staffordshire UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/647492016-09-27T04:03:24Z2016-09-27T04:03:24ZWe need a better understanding of how we manage dogs to help them become better urban citizens<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/137159/original/image-20160909-13379-1ycsdbc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Even within our homes dogs can be perceived as a nuisance.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">AAP/Mike Gee</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Our cities are more densely packed than ever before, with people and their dogs living in <a href="https://theconversation.com/with-the-rise-of-apartment-living-whats-a-nation-of-pet-owners-to-do-58738">smaller dwellings</a> and vying for increasingly <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-there-a-place-for-dogs-in-public-space-or-must-they-make-do-with-dog-parks-56147">limited public space</a>. The urban dog has <a href="https://theconversation.com/johnny-depps-dogs-show-evolving-ideas-of-animal-citizenship-41968">an emerging political identity</a> and, given its place as humanity’s <a href="http://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs">“best friend”</a>, deserves positive consideration <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07293682.2016.1210658">in city planning</a>.</p>
<p>No doubt, however, dogs sometimes cause trouble. In public, dogs and their owners can misbehave: dogs roam where they’re not supposed to and owners leave dog mess for others to clean up.</p>
<p>Even <a href="http://www.americanhumane.org/aha-petsmart-retention-study-phase-1.pdf">within our homes</a> dogs can be perceived as a nuisance: barking, digging, slobbering and annoying neighbours. “Nuisance dogs” are everywhere – even if the dogs aren’t aware of it themselves.</p>
<p>There is an important contrast here: we choose to bring dogs into our urban world, then control them on a tight leash. Local councils aim to balance these two forces through animal management. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always work well, which can harm public perceptions of dogs in the community.</p>
<p>We need a critical understanding of animal management to help us help dogs become better urban citizens. This stands to benefit everyone.</p>
<h2>Animal management holds the key</h2>
<p>Most of the <a href="http://kb.rspca.org.au/How-many-pets-are-there-in-Australia_58.html">more than 4 million dogs in Australia</a> live in the cities and towns where most of the people live. Melbourne, where I undertook my research, is home to around half-a-million dogs. </p>
<p>Alongside roads and rubbish, animal management is a <a href="http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/pets/dogs/your-dogs-welfare-needs">key function</a> of local government.</p>
<p>Animal management is a mixed bag of three distinct activities: education, compliance and enforcement. These are outlined in each local council’s <a href="http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/pets/community-and-education/domestic-animal-management-plans">domestic animal management plan</a>. Such plans are of varying detail and importantly are just that – plans. What happens in practice may be very different.</p>
<p><a href="http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40064-016-2843-8">My recently published research</a> demonstrates that some activities are more effective than others in managing various common nuisances. Understanding the effectiveness of animal management is really important: if we manage the nuisance of dogs well, then they are less trouble to the community and closer to being good canine citizens.</p>
<h2>Carrots and sticks</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.victorialawfoundation.org.au/sites/default/files/resources/Dogs_cats_neighbours_and_you.pdf">Nuisance barking</a> is one of the most common complaints about dogs in the city. The <a href="http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/pets/dogs/training-and-behavioural-problems/barking">general procedure</a> for resolving complaints is nevertheless quite successful in practice. This involves:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>complainant first raises problem with owner</p></li>
<li><p>if problem continues, complainant gathers evidence and reports to council</p></li>
<li><p>council requires owner to fix the problem</p></li>
<li><p>council and courts enforce the law as a last resort.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>That outcomes for each case differ does not appear to be too important to their overall success. The key to success in enforcement of animal management laws is consistency of process between cases and across councils.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/daa1994163/s26.html">enforcement of effective control</a>, however, is a mess. There is no agreed definition of what this means – among dog owners, officers, councils and the courts. This makes consistent enforcement nearly impossible.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/SCEI/Dogs_Inquiry/DOGS_report.pdf">final report</a> of the Victorian government’s recent inquiry into restricted‑breed dogs fails to define what “effective control” actually means, despite its central importance to the issue.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/SCEI/Dogs_Inquiry/Subs/Submission_489_-_RSPCA.pdf#page9">RSPCA Victoria</a> argues effective control is an owner’s responsibility. My research supports this, finding that rather than being a tool of compliance, effective control is simply a part of everyday responsible dog ownership.</p>
<h2>Going back to school</h2>
<p>Responsible dog ownership is a learned behaviour.</p>
<p><a href="http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/pets/community-and-education/responsible-pet-ownership-for-children">Public education for schoolchildren</a> is successful. In part, this is because of its focus on a particular demographic that is coincidentally pretty cheap for the government to reach. Schoolkids are a captive and receptive audience and love a visit from the dog-catcher with the friendly mutt. </p>
<p>As a bonus, the children then educate their parents on how to better interact with dogs.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.monash.edu/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/218426/haz69.pdf">Researchers from Monash University</a> have nevertheless called for an increased focus on adult education to reduce the rate of hospitalisation from dog bites. </p>
<p>Such education campaigns are easier said than done. This is because:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>they are expensive to run</p></li>
<li><p>they need to appeal to a very wide audience</p></li>
<li><p>they tend to focus on an individual species to the <a href="http://www.whosforcats.com.au/">exclusion of others</a></p></li>
<li><p>they can take an inordinately long time, often bouncing from one government website to another as governments change, which makes material very hard to find.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>This all adds up to a weak message, which lacks bang for buck.</p>
<p>Public education campaigns that are privately sponsored may ultimately prove more successful. <a href="https://www.petpositives.com.au/">Keep Australia Pet Friendly</a> is a great example. This tackles the trouble of dogs head-on with a message underscoring the net benefits of pet ownership for the community. </p>
<p>These campaigns may do so out of self-interest – Pet Friendly campaign sponsor Mars Petcare Australia has some obvious skin in the game, for instance. But through a better reach and targeted message they will likely be more effective than similar government programs. </p>
<p>As dogs are increasingly recognised as having a genuine stake in our cities, we need to look for ways to encourage harmony between the species. Better animal management presents an obvious place to start.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/64749/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Simon Carter does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Understanding animal management and making it work better for our interspecies society will benefit humans and dogs alike.Simon Carter, Research Fellow in Urban Planning, The University of MelbourneLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/170302013-08-26T04:55:00Z2013-08-26T04:55:00ZThe Dangerous Dogs Act bites worse than it barks<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/30527/original/yryhz6n7-1378102404.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Poor treatment is one reason why any dog could become dangerous.</span> </figcaption></figure><p>Proposed changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act are based on the assumption that Britain faces <a href="http://theconversation.com/government-is-barking-up-the-wrong-tree-on-dangerous-dogs-16793">a growing threat</a> posed by dangerous dogs and their owners. The proposal is to impose harsher penalties. Before we buy into this narrative, it would pay to inspect the issue in a less sensational way.</p>
<p>At the outset, it isn’t a single problem posed by aggressive dogs, but three separate issues. First there is the problem posed by so-called aggressive “status dogs” and their owners. Second there is the perennial problem posed by dogs of all breeds to people like postmen. Finally there are problems that some dogs pose to the families of their owners, which in some cases have resulted in deaths.</p>
<p>Rather than recognising these as distinctive problems which require different solutions, they are conflated together and the problem is too often made to be one of dangerous dogs bred to be violent by gang members. Let me offer a less sensational diagnosis.</p>
<p>Undeniably some use dogs as status symbols, but by focusing disproportionally on this problematic but rare aspect of dog ownership, we lose sight of a more common reality that is very different. There are around <a href="http://www.pfma.org.uk/pet-population/">eight million dogs</a> in Britain - how many of these are weaponised dogs wielded by gangs? A thousand?</p>
<p>Some young people certainly own dogs like pit bulls for the reasons of status; but many other breeds are also owned for status reasons by pedigree dog breed enthusiasts. From my own research with status dog owners it was evident that they had neither the knowledge nor funds to train their dogs to be killers, and breeding to select aggressive traits was not systematic. Young people certainly value particular breeds, but their concern is to own a handsome specimen, not a deadly one.</p>
<p>The most common problem posed by these young owners is an inadequate response to dog-on-dog aggression. After all, these breeds were originally bred for dog fighting, but humans can still be injured when dogs fight each other. Animal welfare problems are also a concern - dogs are not properly trained, exercised, fed, and are often neglected or abandoned. The owners care about their dogs, but do not always know how to care for them. This applies to many owners of dogs, or indeed many other pets, not just status dog owners. Instead of seeking to ban certain breeds and criminalise their owners - as the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6222689.stm">Dangerous Dogs Act</a> was established to do - a campaign directed at promoting responsible ownership would be preferable.</p>
<p>With regards to the experience of postal workers, as it is natural for dogs to bark at trespassers there will always be dogs barking at postmen. So long as they are prevented from doing anything more than bark, that is all we can ask for. Some dogs of any breed attack postal workers and there is no link between status dogs and postal workers’ injuries. Fining anyone who keeps an aggressive dog (no matter what breed or size) in their front garden or where it can injure a worker is the way forward here. There has to be a physical threat present – a dog barking, no matter how aggressively, indoors or in a fenced off garden does not pose such a threat. Postal workers should also have the right to refuse to deliver mail if an aggressive dog is present.</p>
<p>Looking at the problems posed by dogs to their human families, in my analysis of all <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23578561">dog bite fatalities since 2005</a> it transpired they have taken place within a home context. Very often the owner, dog and victim belonged to the same family. Some of these dogs were pit bulls, but other breeds were also involved.</p>
<p>From the circumstances of these deaths, there are no patterns that can be drawn from the breed of the dog, nor any connection to status dog ownership (there is none); all that can be surmised is that these are double tragedies. They are tragic because someone has been killed, often a child. And it is tragic because a dog has been inadequately cared for – poor socialisation with babies and children, not exercised or fed properly, dogs and children left unsupervised – and as a result someone dies. And of course, the dog is inevitably put down as well. To claim that we would get justice for these tragic victims by handing out life sentences to the owners makes no sense.</p>
<p>In my opinion, shared with many professionals, dogs are not born bad, but made bad by being poorly raised. This, in turn, leads to problems. What we need then, is to take proper care of our dogs. Young people should learn how to interact with dogs, adults should have to ensure children and dogs are not left alone, and dog owners of powerful breeds need to learn how to deal with these dogs. Encouraging positive ownership is much better than further demonising and stigmatising status dogs and their owners.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/17030/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Maria Kaspersson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Proposed changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act are based on the assumption that Britain faces a growing threat posed by dangerous dogs and their owners. The proposal is to impose harsher penalties. Before…Maria Kaspersson, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, University of GreenwichLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/167932013-08-07T05:22:15Z2013-08-07T05:22:15ZGovernment is barking up the wrong tree on dangerous dogs<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/28788/original/fycz99c4-1375795343.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Down Fido: not all dogs make gentle family pets.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Dominic Lipinski/PA</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>A <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations">new round of public consultation</a> has begun on proposals to increase the sentencing for the owners of dogs who carry out fatal attack from seven years to life. Such moves are prompted in part by the huge increase in dog attacks in the UK, not least the 16 fatal incidents in the UK since 2005. This includes the <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/jade-anderson-death-brutal-crime-or-tragic-accident-8552436.html">tragic death</a> of Jade Anderson (aged 14) in Wigan In March.</p>
<p>While such proposals are likely to gain popular approval they are essentially an opportunity for the government to capitalise on the current high profile of the issue and to move them off the back foot where they have been since the introduction of the <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/65/contents">Dangerous Dogs Act</a> in 1991. </p>
<p>But have the government got the wrong end of the leash again? While it can be argued that the current two-year maximum tariff is too lenient, will tougher sentences, post-event, do anything to address irresponsible dog ownership or reduce the proliferation of aggressive bull breed dogs on our streets, or indeed prevent dog attacks from taking place?</p>
<h2>Bone of contention</h2>
<p>My four-year research into this highly complex and nuanced topic, recently published in the book <a href="http://www.mdx.ac.uk/aboutus/news-events/news/dogs.aspx">Unleashed</a>, suggests it will not. Determined to place this issue firmly on the social policy agenda, I sought to better understand why aggressive bull breed dogs are now visible in such huge numbers in public spaces across Britain. I also wanted to understand why some young people used such dogs to generate status amongst their peers.</p>
<p>To complete this research I undertook 67 qualitative interviews with professionals working with dogs, local residents and gang-affiliated young people in Lambeth, south London. I spent many months interviewing 138 owners/handlers of aggressive breeds outside RSPCA hospitals, in parks and high streets and on public transport. I also undertook the UK’s first focus group with young, Asian dog owners involved in dog fighting.</p>
<p>Though this research was fraught with methodological challenges and ethical issues, I was able to confirm that the public concern regarding the threat to public safety from the increase in bull breed dogs is legitimate. Having witnessed young men with large bull breed dogs in 85% of the 40 London parks in my study, it is also a substantial issue of social policy and public safety.</p>
<p>Several key findings are relevant to the debate on dangerous dogs. First, there has been a shift in social values regarding dogs in the UK. Dogs are increasingly viewed as a commodity rather than as a traditional family member.</p>
<p>Increased commodification has generated increased demand for certain breeds with a reputational brand value for aggression. This demand is met increasingly via a supply of animals from backstreet breeders who hybridise breeding in puppy farms before selling their dogs on the internet. </p>
<h2>Pedigree of violence</h2>
<p>Dogs bred specifically for their aggressive traits are highly valued by young men seeking to mould them into even more aggressive animals which will dominate public space. Such unregulated breeding calls into question the mantra of <a href="http://www.deednotbreed.org.uk/">Deed Not Breed</a>. Dogs that provide a pedigree of violence generate reputation and status for young men. Some owners capitalise on this high demand, using their dogs to generate an untaxed income from breeding: one 17 year old I interviewed made more than £7,000 a year from a pair of pitbulls. </p>
<p>Others capitalise on the brand values of aggression and violence from, for example, pitbulls: using the dogs to act as heavies while collecting drug debts or to guard the hydroponic cultivation of cannabis. Here my research indicated young men who had their dogs seized by police frequently had an array of previous convictions ranging from drugs, to assault and violence. </p>
<p>Others use the dogs for protection, intimidation or to amplify their public image and fragile masculinity, and by so doing, manufacture a fast-tracked “street capital”, which makes bull breed dogs the must-have accessory to “hood life”. Will such individuals, so embedded in the global imagery of Hip Hop, ghetto violence and gang affiliation, be influenced by these government proposals?</p>
<p>And what of the ordinary family who innocently purchase a bull breed dog or rescue a pitbull/staffie-cross from a homing centre only to find it is more aggressive than they bargained for? It is likely they will seek to distance themselves from such breeds, leading to an increase in abandoned and stray animals.</p>
<h2>Pet project</h2>
<p>The solution to this doggie dilemma is not to tinker with the <a href="http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/antisocialbehaviourcrimeandpolicingbill.html">Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill</a> as the government proposes. Instead it needs to fundamentally overhaul the Dangerous Dog Act 1991 and consolidate the confusing and wide-ranging legislation on this topic. </p>
<p>It should focus more on preventing the 6,000 hospital visits per year caused by dangerous dogs, through educational programmes targeted at young people from primary school onwards. It should give powers and funding to local councils to properly manage these issues, through <a href="http://www.politics.co.uk/reference/dog-control-billb">Dog Control Notices</a>, mandatory microchipping, dog proficiency certificates for children and mandatory dog behavioural training where required. </p>
<p>Dog attacks are by their nature mostly unpredictable, but by tackling backstreet breeding, improved dog socialisation and more responsible dog ownership we can reduce the frequency and likelihood of them occurring before the event.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/16793/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Simon Harding does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>A new round of public consultation has begun on proposals to increase the sentencing for the owners of dogs who carry out fatal attack from seven years to life. Such moves are prompted in part by the huge…Simon Harding, Lecturer, Sociology and Criminology, Middlesex UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.