Police Bomb Dog Bites Handler"s Son, Mother Sues TSA and Port Authority

A police officer of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was a K-9 handler of an explosives detection dog owned by the Transportation Security Administration. TSA provides bomb dogs to state and local law enforcement agencies under the National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program (NEDCTP). TSA is responsible for training the dogs and their handlers, as well as for establishing search protocols used by the Port Authority. The Port Authority is responsible for providing handlers, daily care, and kenneling of the dogs. The Port Authority has a “Local Canine Training Manual,” which specifies that safe handling and control of the dog rests with the individual handler to whom it is assigned. Handlers are to report any problems with dogs, such as a dog that growls at the handler. Handlers can also contact the TSA training office for minor behavioral and acclimation problems.

Officer Newsham was assigned a bomb detection dog named Dini trained at the Lackland Air Force Base “Dog School.” (Official picture here shows puppies that will enter Lackland’s TSA program.) Officer Newsham received an “acclimation packet” from TSA and an “ouch letter,” which provided information on how to adjust the dog to its new environment in the handler’s home. There was advice on how to avoid dog bites. Dini spent nonworking hours at Officer Newsham’s home.

Newsham began to notice Dini jumping on bags during searches, a behavior considered inappropriate and aggressive. At the Newsham’s home, the dog did not interact well with the Newshams’ pet dogs. Dini began to be aggressive towards Newsham himself. Newsham took the dog to a military veterinarian for a semi-annual exam and described the aggressive behavior, but no action was taken. There was no protocol for the veterinarian to remove the dog from an assignment. Newsham also mentioned the behavior to his NEDCTP Coordinator, who perhaps should have been concerned in part because aggressive behavior, particularly in alerting, can be dangerous with bomb dogs coming in contact with explosive materials. (Some dogs are trained to recognize both explosives and narcotics, and some trainers attempt to use different alerts with the same dog when training it to recognize different categories of odors, but there is no mention of that here.)

The evening of January 7, 2007, Newsham was watching TV and his son and the dog were in the room. The boy was putting together a puzzle and dropped a piece, which both he and the dog went for at the same time. The dog bit the boy. The boy’s mother filed a complaint against TSA as the owner of the dog, alleging negligence and violation of the New Jersey dog bite statute, seeking damages.

The TSA noted that the NEDCTP has a policy that no one should pet an assigned canine other than the handler. Further, TSA allows local law enforcement agencies to board assigned dogs in the handlers’ homes but also to put them in kennels. The court found that NEDCTP officials had not violated program requirements, and held the TSA immune from suit under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. 1346(b). State law claims could proceed against the Port Authority in state court, however. Newsham v. Transportation Security Administration, 2010 WL 715838 (D.N.J. 2010).

Dog bite laws have been applied to police dogs. See Hyatt v. Anoka Police Department, 691 NW2d 828 (Minn. Sup. Ct. 2005). The circumstances here, however, are rather unique and the officer may share some of the responsibility since he knew the dog was becoming aggressive. It is not clear to me that having the wife sue on behalf of the son and leaving the husband off the plaintiff list will resolve this conflict if the matter comes before another court.

It would be unfortunate if a case like this were taken as indicating that police dogs should be kenneled while off duty. There is good evidence that a dog that lives and plays with its handler will be more obedient to the handler and generally a better police dog. This appears to be more important in achieving a good relationship than a long period of working together. Lefebvre, D., Diederich, C., Delcourt, M., and Giffroy, J.-M. (2007). The Quality of the Relation Between Handler and Military Dogs Influences Efficiency and Welfare of Dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 104, 49-60.

Preventing Dog Bites, Dog Bites and Cat Bites

Many of the loose dog calls that we get are from folks who were out walking, or walking their dogs and were “approached” by a loose dog or dogs. And several of the Human Bitten calls are due to loose dogs and someone walking, jogging, or walking their dog.

Unfortunately, there are going to be loose dogs. Even if everyone in America had steel fences, some dogs would still be able to get loose. And unfortunately, many times these loose dogs are not so nice. So, what do you do to protect yourself? How do you prevent yourself or your own dog from being attacked or getting bitten? Here are the suggestions that I offer to people when they make contact with me in the field

My number one recommendation is to carry an umbrella. Did you know that it is illegal to carry a baseball bat or a golf club unless you are going to play baseball or golf? So walking through a neighborhood with a baseball bat or golf club could get you a visit from the local police or sheriff department. BUT an umbrella is totally legal and you can carry it year round. You can use it to shade yourself from the hot summer sun, or protect you from the winter rain. and it can help protect you from an aggressive dog.

I especially recommend the type of umbrellas that have the little auto open buttons. If you are approached by a aggressive or questionable dog, you point the umbrella in the dog’s direction and POP it open. Most of the time this will distract the dogs focus from you and/or your dog and sometimes it’s scary enough to send them running off.

If it doesn’t send him running you now have the open umbrella to help provide a barrier between you and the dog. Yes I know it’s a flimsy piece of cloth and wires, but the dog doesn’t know that. And it’s a lot more than you would have if you didn’t have the umbrella at all. Another benefit to umbrellas is they are very light weight to hold in one hand. Leaving your other hand free. If you are walking your leashed dog you can bring your dog in closer to you with your free hand.

If the dog is still bothering you, thrust the umbrella at it and yell sternly and loudly “GO HOME!” Repeat this several times until dog retreats and you can walk away to a safe distance. Don’t try to run from the dog. As my friend and fellow Officer 450 says “Fours legs will ALWAYS beat Two”.

What if the dog is just not leaving you alone? Poke it with the umbrella! The umbrella is not going to hurt it as much as it biting you is going to hurt. Give the dog a few good jabs. Be stern with telling him to go home. Be angry at him. Tell him he is a BAD DOG and GO HOME. Usually if your making enough noise a neighbor or the owner will hear you and can possibly provide some assistance.

Advice, when you are retreating or walking away, try to do so by walking sideways or backwards for at least a few steps. try to keep an eye on the dog as you retreat. Or get cars or garbage cans between you and the dog. Don’t let down your guard until the dog is out of sight.

If your walking your dog and the worst happens before you can react and open the umbrella, use it to defend yourself and your dog.

DO NOT try to pick your dog up or grab your dog or the other dog by the collar YOU WILL GET BIT! DO try to swing your dog away by it’s leash and use your umbrella to stab at the attacking dog. Also, trying to put your body between the two dogs will most likely end up in you being bitten. Do anything and everything you can to draw attention to your attack. You also may have to release your dog’s leash in order to get a hose or other object to break the dogs up. Again NEVER reach in with your hands to break dogs apart!

Once it’s over, if your dog is injured, take it to your vet. After getting your dog to the vet then call Animal Services. If your dog is not injured, this is when you should call Animal Services to report the loose aggressive dog. One important thing you will need to know is the address. Drive your car over to get the house address. If you do not know which house the dog actually came from give the address of where the incident happened. Chances are if they are not the dog owners they will know who the dog belongs to. Give the best description of the dog that you can. Just saying it’s a Pit bull or a Big dog is not helpful. If there is no address and no dog description we will drive down the street and not see anything and move on to our next call. Your Animal Services department should be able to advise you of what to do next.

DOG BITES

What if you were bitten? NUMBER ONE…Go to the Doctor! I know here in California, Doctors are required by law to report ALL animal bites to Animal Services. Animal bites are a high priority for Animal Services, so if you do not hear from your local Animal Services within 24-48 hours of your bite call them to make sure they received the Doctor’s report and have all the correct information. You can also ask what the protocol is for Bites. Protocols can vary by agency, but all domestic animals that bite must go through a quarantine period of at least 10 days. Some incidents require longer quarantine periods, it depends on the circumstances, type of animal and incident. The most important thing is to verify is the Rabies vaccinations.

What if you were bitten by your own dog? It doesn’t matter what the circumstances are, even if it was an accident or as many people say “my fault”. State laws require that when an animal bites and the skin has been broken, that animal must be quarantined and rabies vaccination verified. Animal Services does not want to take your dog. and even if your dog bites and circumstances require that the dog be quarantined at the shelter. You will be able to get your dog back. Many times your dog can be quarantined at your vet or at your home. Again it depends on your agency’s protocol and the circumstances. Like anything else, the more cooperative you are the faster and smoother it will be done with.

CAT BITES

If you are bitten by a cat, your or any other, GO IMMEDIATELY TO A DOCTOR! I cannot emphasize this enough. Just a little pin prick bite can and 9 times out of 10 WILL turn into a nasty infection. Cats mouths are very infectious. Antibiotics will be a must. I believe it was 460 who had a little tiny puncture bite on her finger and she was hospitalized because she didn’t go to the doctor right away. I was bitten and scratched by a feral cat and left work to go to the doctor. I ended up waiting in the ER waiting room for 4 hours and in that time I had swelling, pain and red streaks starting to go up my arm. Cat bites are bad stuff. The same protocol will be required for quarantine and rabies verification.

This is also why it is very important that your pets be vaccinated and kept up to date on Rabies vaccinations.  

Postal Service names top cities for dog bites

The US Postal Service released statistics naming the cities where most dog bites of postal workers occured. Topping the list is Houston, TX, with “62 letter carriers attacked in 2010.” (They use the words “bitten” and “attacked” interchangeably; I think there is a difference between a bite and an attack. But I digress.)

In a press release, the Postal Service says that medical expenses from dog attacks cost the Postal Service nearly $ 1.2 million last year. According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog attacks accounted for more than one-third of all homeowners’ insurance liability claims paid out in 2010, costing nearly $ 413 million.

The top 10 cities for postal worker dog bites are:

Top cities where postal workers were bitten by dogs.

In recognition of National Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 15-21), the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA) offers the following tips on how to avoid being bitten by a dog:

How to Avoid Being Bitten

• Don’t run past a dog. The dog’s natural instinct is to chase and catch you.


• If a dog threatens you, don’t scream. Avoid eye contact. Try to remain motionless until the dog leaves, then back away slowly until the dog is out of sight.


• Don’t approach a strange dog, especially one that’s tethered or confined.


• People choosing to pet dogs should obtain permission from the owner first and always let a dog see and sniff them before petting the animal.


• If you believe a dog is about to attack you, try to place something between yourself and the dog, such as a backpack or a bicycle.

How to Be a Responsible Dog Owner

• Obedience training can teach dogs proper behavior and help owners control their dogs.


• When a carrier comes to your home, keep your dog inside, away from the door in another room.


• Dogs can be protective of their territory and may interpret the actions of letter carriers as a threat. Please take precautions when accepting mail in the presence of your pet.


• Spay or neuter your dog. Neutered dogs are less likely to roam and bite.


• Dogs that receive little attention or handling, or are left tied up for long periods of time, frequently turn into biters.

You can read the entire press release here.

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The Six Levels of Dog Bites

Aggression is a natural survival behavior that is required for survival. In dogs, especially when referring to dogs that are acquired for companionship, we attempt to develop a high level of bite inhibition, meaning, control…. It is false to assume that we remove aggression from the animals… we don’t. Through training and by enforcing consistent rules and boundaries, and by keeping arousal levels to a point that they are still manageable, we reduce the likely hood of a dog ever having the opportunity to practice aggression.

However, this is not what happens in pet dogs. Unfortunately, irregardless of how many training classes one may have taken with their dogs, not being consistent with enforcing these rules, and allowing such high levels of arousal during a casual greet for example, gives dogs the opportunity to push their limits, and limits of other dogs and people.

I take any dog bite towards a human very seriously. A bite towards a dog, is different in my opinion, and I will explain why.

I believe, dogs must be taught to develop such great control towards human redirection, physical handling and restrain exercises, that they should always refrain from using their teeth on human skin. By the way, I am not talking about a dog defending itself if it is being abused by a human…. in that case, I feel quite differently.

One of the exercises Doglando dog’s must adapt to rather quickly, is the grabbing of the collar exercise. Here, when a dog is grabbed by its collar by a member of the staff, the dog must defer. It should not ever choose to use its strength, body, weight or teeth against the staff. Unfortunately, this is a major issue for many dogs.

Needless to mention, we are bit over and over again, not by the same dog, but with every new dog coming in as he/she learns how to be a good dog.

It is astounding to hear a pet owner define the severity of a bite based on what they see. I guess, one does not take a bite seriously, even if it resulted in open wounds, gashes, or stitches, unless the bite resulted in major trauma. I have been on a receiving end of a dog bite many times. Most often, because I reached in to grab a dogs collar (a familiar dog’s collar). Here is the first statement we ofter hear:
“let me see what he/she did” or “Let me see the bite.” Based on their opinion of how bad the bite appears to be (an in many cases they are seeing it hours after the incident, so healing and scarring has already begun), most will brush off the idea that their dog displayed aggression.

So today, I thought I would help you understand the seriousness of any dog bite… and what exactly is considered a bite, as per Dr. Ian Dunbar’s Bit Assessment Criteria:

1. The bits does not break the skin. Air biting and snapping in the air is considered a level one bite. The intent is there.

2. The bite makes contact with the skin. A level two bite will leave bruising but no abrasion is visible.

3. The bits leaves on one, two or three punctures. Punctures of a level three bite are less than 1/2 the length of the fang in size, and some tearing could occur.

4. Likely to require medical attention, these bites are classified as 1 – 4 punctures, with or without tearing and more than 1/2 the depth of the fang tooth.

5. Multiple level four bites and usually beyond the ability to reason. A strong defense behavior, this dog strongly feels it’s life is being threatened. This is a concentrated, repeated attack.

6. A level 6 bite results in death.

Most often a dog bite does not result in death, when referring to a bite towards an adult human…but could be a likely result if towards a child. In this case, when a bite is towards an adult human, it is even more important to understand the dog’s intent beyond the damage caused.

Tomorrow we will talk about why dogs may bite, but for now let’s remain focused on the intent of a dog when it bites.

In simple terms, the intent refers to a dogs intentions, what does the dog mean by the bite, what state of mind is the dog in, does the dog have the intention to harm, cause danger, kill, damage, tear, rip or is it non intentional. You maybe thinking at this point, how is a dog bite non intentional. It can be… our staff has been bitten by a dog many a times, while they tug a toy, or just as they went to throw a ball, the dog jumped up in an attempt to catch it before it released the hand. The dogs did not have any intention to bite, but they had every intention of getting to the toy, thus making their jaw a very powerful thing. In this regards, we always teach the dogs to remain at a safe distance from us and a good release to let the dog know when we are ready for them to get the toy.

At Doglando, when we measure the intensity of a bite, we don’t measure it using the scale above. We measure it based on the intent which is based on the dog’s body language, resistance, fight, stare, breathing pattern, time frame it takes the dog to deescalate and calm down or get to the point it is verbally re-direcatable and physically controllable.

For example, lets say I grab a dog by its collar, and it flips out by shaking its head trying to back out of the collar, then lunges at me, makes contact on me using its front legs, wraps its front legs around my hand, attempts to manipulate its head to get to any of my body , vocalization and any other physically intensity, all this would be taken into consideration on what the dog’s intent is. We don’t wait for the bite to realize the dog was serious or threatening or challenging us. Once we are able to get the dog, we continue measuring how long it takes for the dog to be redirected and at what point the dog becomes accepting for us of holding its collar.

It does not end there. In many cases we have the bite to judge from, and a dog with very poor bite inhibition may tear skin, not necessarily because it was aggressive…… Puppies. They have no awareness of just how sharp their teeth are…. that does not mean the dog is aggressive…. but if this puppy does not learn how to refrain from making teeth contact on human skin, then it will become a bigger issue later on.

So going back to the intent of a dog’s bite… that is the most important part of the evaluation, then the damage of the bite. When the intent is understood, their is better understanding on what kind of a dog you have… and with that you can be a more responsible pet owner, knowing and understanding your dog’s limitations, triggers, and responses to situations that may lead them to be aggressive. Knowing this, you will be able to teach your dog to become more tolerant one small step at a time.

Keeping the dog at a threshold whereby not allowing the dog to be aroused to a level it can not be deescalated during this phase is imperative. If you work through this, you will be successful in teaching your dog not to ever use its strength, body, weight and teeth against a human.

Those four things are the most important lessons a canine companion should learn…. it translates into RESPECT.

When you think about it&banning one breed of dog does not eliminate dog bites.

Dog of all breeds can bite and, if left untrained, can be dangerous.

States from Maine to California and in between are introducing legislation that would restrict the ownership of certain breeds of dogs. While most of these bills target pit bulls, American Staffordshire terriers, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds have also been targeted. While breed bans get publicity, especially following a particularly gruesome dog attack, they do not get at the heart of the problem—owners who do not take appropriate care of their dogs.

In a study of dog bites published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, September 2000, 30 different breeds of dogs were shown to be responsible for fatal attacks on people between 1979 and 1998. Banning one breed will not stop the other 29 breeds from biting. Banning one breed will not stop any dog from biting. If breed bans work, why have dog bite reports continued to increase? If breed bans work, why after many years in some locales are the banned breeds still being rounded up?

On the flip side, some states are introducing legislation that would prohibit insurance companies from refusing to issue or renew, cancel, or increase homeowners’ insurance based solely on whether the homeowner owns a specific breed of dog. So, while some state legislators “get it,” others do not.

All dog owners need to train their dogs to be good canine citizens and to practice safe dog handling. Better educated owners and well trained dogs will reduce the number of dog bites in a community, not banning certain breeds. When you think about it…all dogs are capable of inflicting harm.

Read our recent Paws Up, “Breed-neutral Laws Work“

When the dog bites |

Back when I was in seventh grade or thereabouts, I was riding my bike one summer day when a large black dog came running after me. His owner was nowhere in sight. He growled and snapped at my heels as I pedaled like crazy, terrified I would be knocked off my bike and mauled.

Fortunately I managed to outdistance him (or else he lost interest in the chase, I’m not sure which). But the story doesn’t end as well for the thousands of Americans each year who sustain serious dog bite injuries.

Every year during the third week in May, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention co-sponsor National Dog Bite Prevention Week to call attention to this public health problem.

The numbers are a little frightening: An estimated four million to five million Americans were bitten by a dog last year. Nearly one million of these bite injuries were severe enough to require some form of medical attention. Every so often, news reports surface of horrific injuries – some of them fatal - involving a victim attacked by one or more dogs. What’s especially concerning is that more than half of dog bite injuries involve children, although recently this has been decreasing.

There seems to be a profile for households where dog bite injuries are more likely: namely, the presence of a dog in the household. The risk apparently goes up with the number of dogs; adults with two or more dogs in the home are up to five times more likely to be bitten than individuals who don’t have a dog.

Among occupations, letter carriers face some of the highest risk. The U.S. Postal Service reported last week that there were dog attacks on 5,669 postal employees in 2010. The worst city in the U.S.: Houston, where 62 incidents took place last year. Minneapolis was seventh on the list, tied with Portland, Ore., at 35 dog attacks on letter carriers in each city.

An analysis by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality contains some more details: Rural areas have higher rates of dog bite injuries requiring emergency-room treatment or a hospital stay. Elderly people make up a small proportion of those bitten by a dog each year but are among the most likely to be hospitalized. The average cost associated with inpatient hospital treatment for a dog bite is $ 18,200.

Does this mean all dogs are dangerous and we shouldn’t share our lives and homes with them? Any dog, given the right circumstances, will bite, notes Dr. Janet Tobiassen Crosby, a veterinarian. But the dog isn’t invariably to blame; aggressive canine behavior sometimes can escalate when humans fail to correctly interpret the clues. She writes:

Proper training and socialization of puppies and dogs is crucial to avoid dog bites, as is training the humans how to recognize dog body language and approach dogs in a non-threatening manner.

In other words, dog bite injuries don’t have to be inevitable. Here’s some basic advice to lower your risk:

- Before bringing a dog into your home, do your research to choose a breed that’s best suited to your lifestyle. Spend time getting to know the dog before adopting or buying. Reputable shelters and breeders should disclose whether the animal has any known history of aggression.

- Spaying and neutering can greatly reduce the tendency toward aggression, as can appropriate socialization and training.

- Never leave infants or young children alone with a dog.

- Don’t approach an unfamiliar dog. Don’t pet a dog without first allowing it to see and sniff you.

Although rabies is often the first concern that springs to mind when someone is bitten by a dog, the bigger issue is the skin and deep-tissue damage that serious bite injuries often entail. In serious cases, reconstructive surgery might be necessary. Infection is another significant risk.

Dogs do many wonderful things for the human species but they’re still dogs and they think, behave and react like dogs. It’s up to the people in their lives to understand this and to handle the relationship accordingly.

I can’t end this blog without adding a few words about cats. We don’t hear very much about cat bites, probably because they’re much less common than dog bites. A Medscape article puts cat bites at 5 to 15 percent of the yearly total of animal bite wounds seen at emergency rooms in the U.S. Dog bites, on the other hand, make up 80-90 percent of the annual total.

Cats don’t possess the size or strength to inflict the crushing-type injuries typical of dog attacks. Their sharp pointed teeth are capable of serious puncture wounds, however, that drive bacteria deep into the tissue. These wounds might look small on the surface but can lead to serious infection without appropriate evaluation and treatment. Overall, cat bites are more likely than dog bites to become infected, and infection also tends to develop more rapidly than with dog bites – good reasons for why cat bites ought to be taken seriously.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Kids & Pets – Tips for Preventing Dog Bites

By Suzanne Alicie

As a responsible pet owner, I have to be diligent in making sure that my dog Bear doesn’t bite someone. When we go for a walk most adults know how to approach a strange dog, or at least know better than to run up squealing and jumping around. Children, on the other hand, are naturally exuberant and excited to see a dog and they all want to pet her; she’s big and fluffy, and just draws them in.

Unfortunately, Bear is not very social and really does not appreciate the excitement of children that she doesn’t know. This can lead to heart stopping moments when I’m praying that Bear won’t snap at someone, or that the parents will take charge of their children so that I don’t have to tell the child, “STOP, don’t touch the dog.” Because then children cry and parents get angry because I’ve yelled at their child. They don’t realize that I’m trying to protect them.

I’d rather yell at their child than have my dog cause them to be hurt or even scared of dogs. Sometimes her barks and growls are pretty scary too, and she does get vocal when she feels crowded or threatened. I believe children should have a healthy fear of many things, but especially dogs. This is different from a real fear, and is more of a respect and knowledge of the possibility that the dog could bite.

As parents, it’s important that you teach your children not to approach strange dogs and if you have dogs and children you must teach your child to respect your dog as a member of the family. They have to understand that they could harm the dog if they play too rough, which could also make the dog bite them. Children aren’t mean intentionally, but sometimes they forget that their dog isn’t a stuffed animal and may try to pick him up by his tail or pull his hair while they are playing.

Feeding time is the time to keep your kids away from the dog completely. Even the most well trained dog could give in to instinct and snap at a child who gets too close to them while they are eating. In your own home and with your own children, all it usually takes to prevent dog bites is to accustom your children to being around a dog and respecting the dog’s space.

When you take your dog out, it may be wise to consider a muzzle to protect children from bites and always make sure that your harness, leash and collar are in good shape. An escaped dog running to-and-fro incites people to help you by chasing him. This could lead to strangers getting a bite for their efforts, especially children who think they are helping.

Even if you have a nice dog who likes children, it’s always important to make sure that strange children approach the dog calmly and give your pooch time to sniff them before they reach for him. Always carry a few CANIDAE dog treats when you go to the park so that you can help children become acquainted with your dog and reward your dog at the same time for being so well behaved.

Top photo by Ernst Vikne
Bottom photo by Mr. Dtb

Read more articles by Suzanne Alicie

Dog Bites « Sturgell Law Firm

Dog Bites

The Sturgell Law Firm represents clients located in Arizona who have been injured by a dog bite.  When a dog bite or animal attack occurs in Arizona, the owner of the animal is liable for injuries and other damages caused by the attack.  This is known as a strict liability standard.

If you’ve been injured as the result of a dog bite, The Sturell Law Firm provides aggressive representation that is focused on getting you the care you need, and maximizing your recovery.

Dog bites and animal attacks often cause scarring and disfigurement. Many times, the victim of a dog bite or animal attack is a child.  The attorneys at The Strugell Law Firm have experience representing dog bite and animal attack victims throughout Arizona and the greater Phoenix area.  The Sturgell Law Firm will aggressively pursue your claim, helping you to recover full compensation for medical bills, lost wages or income, costs of rehabilitation, and pain and suffering.

In Arizona, dog bite cases have a shorter statute of limitations than claims for general negligence.  Please contact The Sturgell Law Firm as soon as possible after the incident to ensure that your rights are protected.

Do you still have questions?  Call us today at (602) 685-1061 to speak to an attorney.

Dog Bites

Dogs are commonly known as man’s best friend. They provide us with comfort, happiness, and safety. Despite this, they can also cause unforeseeable harm. Dog bites are a serious issue and affect many people in Texas on a daily basis. Many people may not realize the severity or damage a dog bite can incur. Victims of dog bites may experience lasting mental and physical wounds. Liability may be imposed to dog owners for unprovoked attacks on individuals. However, dog owners and victims of dog bites can both protect themselves by staying up to date on current animal laws. 

Texas does not generally impose liability on dog owners for the first time a dog bites. In Texas a dog owner is not held liable for the first bite under the “one bite rule”, unless the owner knew or had reason to know the dog had a dangerous propensity. The second bite does impose liability on dog owners since the owner knew the dog had a dangerous ability to hurt someone. Dog owners have a duty to warn people and try to avoid any possible injury. The Texas Supreme Court decided that it is the dog owner’s duty to attempt to stop their dog from attacking a person after the attack has begun. This is a civil duty, meaning that the victim can sue if the dog owner fails to attempt to stop the attack. 

            A victim can also base their claim on negligence when it is not possible to prove that the dog owner had prior knowledge of the dog’s dangerous tendency to bite people. A specific form of negligence, ‘negligence per se’, is when a dog owner or dog handler violates an animal control law in the municipal code or county code, such as a leash law. 

The Leash law and Dangerous Dog Act helps prevent such accidents from occurring. Most cities or counties have leash laws generally stating that dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet at all times when off the owner’s property. Legal liability for a dog bite is based on:

(a) the owner knew that the dog had bitten someone previously or had the dangerous propensity to bite a person.

(b) the accident was caused by the negligence of the person handling the dog. 

(c) the accident was caused by a violation of a leash law, prohibition against dogs trespassing or running at large, or a similar animal control law.

(d)  the injury was caused intentionally by the person handling the dog.

            A dangerous dog is any dog that makes an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury and occurs in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept. This could be a park, field, street, or any other public property. Dog owners should not tie their dogs up to trees, since this causes the animals to become aggressive and act out many times.

            Bodily injury means any injury that is characterized by bites or scratch wounds. This term includes any type of injury that would cause a reasonably sensible person to seek treatment from a medical professional or veterinarian without regard to whether the person actually sought the treatment. Within 30 days of the dog owner learning of an attack or being notified by court or animal control, the owner must register the dog as a dangerous dog, obtain $ 100,000.00 in liability insurance, and comply with local regulations and ordinances or deliver the dog to animal control.

If you were injured by an animal or have any questions concerning dog bites, contact our office. At the Law Offices of Sean Chalaki, our goal is to protect you and your loved ones before the incident and protect your rights after the incident.For more information, call our office at 972-793-8500 to schedule a free case evaluation.

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Kids + Dogs + Warm Weather = A Recipe for Dog Bites

Kids + Dogs + Warm Weather = A Recipe for Dog Bites

June 28th, 2013 plarsen

School is out and summertime is a great time for the kids and the dogs to interact.  It’s fun time for both the humans and the canines, but it is also a time to remind the kids that any dog, given the right—or wrong–circumstances, can bite. Even the easiest going dog may react when cornered by a child who screams, moves erratically, or suddenly grabs him.  Each year almost a million kids visit the emergency room for treatment of a dog bite, and oftentimes, the culprit is a dog that the child knows, and more often than not, it is the behavior of the child that triggers the bite. Toddlers grab, hold, tug, poke and yank; they squeal as they crawl around the floor, and dogs simply do not understand this behavior. Dogs are dogs; they do not bite out of the blue, or launch into an assault without provocation, but humans often do not recognize the dog’s anxiety. Children should ALWAYS be supervised when in the company of a dog. A dog has few ways of protesting unwanted attention. He can try to move away, and once he has done this, his only alternative is a bark, growl, or nip. If you see your dog retreating from a child, immediately stop the child from bothering the dog. Teach your children that animals are to be treated kindly and gently, show them how to properly handle a dog, and do not allow hitting, chasing, teasing or other harassment.

Guess where most bites occur?  Right in our homes or the homes of friends.  Dogs bite because they don’t want you near them, or an area they may be “protecting.” Be it fear or whatever reason, she wants to put distance between herself and you.  If you have small children it is important to create a “safe haven” for your dog, so that when he does not want to be bothered with the child, he can escape to his safe place where the child is not allowed.  If a dog is eating, playing with a toy, or has a litter of puppies, the children should leave her alone.  Dogs tend to be protective of their food and toys, and bothering an eating or playing dog is one of the major reasons kids get bitten by their family dog. When excitement levels are high, such as when they are playing with a toy, they are also more likely to accidentally bite.  A young child’s first reaction to being nipped or mouthed by a dog is to push the pup away, and this will be interpreted by the dog as play and will probably cause him to nip and mouth even more.

Sometimes people think it is cute to tease the dogs by pretending to beat up another human, or by playing rough, aggressive games, and these activities encourage out-of-control behavior, grabbing, lunging and competition with you, which are not behaviors you want your dog to learn.  Always encourage your kids (and adults) to treat the family pets with the respect they deserve, and do not allow “idiot games.”

If you routinely tie your dog outside, please reconsider. Tied dogs are frustrated dogs who tend to be hyper and testy, and a child entering the area where a dog is chained could be easily knocked down or bitten.  If a neighbor ties a dog out, be sure your children to not go near those dogs. It is an accident waiting to happen.  They should also be taught to never approach a strange dog, and even if they know a dog, they should always ask the caregiver for permission before they get near him.

Few things are worse than having your dog bite someone. It causes you, your dog and the victim extreme heartache, which reinforces the importance of providing necessary training to both the child and the dog to maintain positive interaction. Dogs are wonderful companions, and by acting responsibly, caregivers not only reduce dog bite injuries, but also enhance the relationship they have with their dog.

Categories: Health & Wellness, Holiday & Seasonal, Training Tags: dog bites, kids, summer

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September 26th, 2009

1236. Wound care for bites vs. other wounds // Issue regarding dog bite to hand of small child // Suture or phrophylactic abx of bites from dog, cat, rodent, monkey, human

by reuben in animal bite
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Stop Dog Bites: Teach Your Dog Not to Be Food Possessive

I am very distraught over the number of dog bite cases I read and hear about, many involving children and some fatal. This is tragic and most could be avoided. As a dog owner and foster mom, I teach ALL my dogs not to be toy or food possessive. This is not the problem all the time in dog bite cases, but it is a big factor in homes. If this is a problem with your pooch, please maintain close supervision !!! Operating a cage-free pet sitting business and being a foster mom, I am a very responsible dog owner (and cat).

POSSESSIVE: Young children are so possessive they will not allow others to play with their toys.

I foster for a “bully” breed rescue, they are not bullies, and these dogs may go to a family with children. I do teach every one of these dogs not to be food or toy possessive, meaning they will bite if you go near their food or toy. These dogs are very human friendly and loveable, contrary to what the media reports. (Another story for another day). They are however, very powerful dogs.

If confronted by a growling dog, children should be taught to walk away slowly and not to run.

When feeding my fosters, I make them sit first before receiving their bowl of food. When the bowl is placed on the floor and the dog takes a couple of bites, I take both my hands, they are small, and cover the dogs food dish. When the dog is not “rooting” anymore for the food, I remove my hands. A word of caution here, please do not jump in and just cover a dog’s food dish with your hands if you are not sure how the dog will react.

I get to know the dog a little and feel confident I can do this. If you are not sure, please use a fake hand. (like you use for Halloween) I also put my fingers on the dog dish while eating. If you start this at puppy stage, this will not be a problem. For those teaching adult dogs, please use caution!!! This gets the dog use to the idea of having hands around his dish and will not lash out at anyone near his food. Keep doing this periodically to keep this instilled in your dog.

I have several Nylabones in the house. No one fights over them. While the dog is chewing on it, I gently take it away. Wait for them not to react and just sit, lay or stand there patiently. Give the dog back the bone. Do this several times. If the dog reacts, do not give the bone back. Try again later. This process can be used for any toy.

Teach your children that unfamiliar dogs — no matter how small or cute— should not be touched or approached without adult permission. On the other hand, do not teach them to be afraid of dogs.

Note: Please be a responsible pet owner. If your dog is possessive over toys, do not take them (toys) to the dog park. (I have actually seen this). If you have small children around, please supervise them, especially during meal time. Make sure your dogs cannot escape yard/house while you are gone.

Related articles:

• 
  Keeping Kids Safe From Dog Bites – Every Day Health


• 
  Are You Setting Your Child Up for a Dog Bite Injury this Summer? – People Training for Good Dogs

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Dog Bites Happen to Everyone, Even Me!

May 20-26, 2012 is Dog Bite Prevention Week. Dog bites are a serious public health issue. In the United States, 4.7 million bites are estimated to occur each year. Children ages 5-9 are the most common victims of dog bites, but everyone is at risk.

I want to share my personal dog bite story and one that happened to my friend Susan the very same day.

You may immediately think that I was bitten by one of my dog patients. Not this time. I was walking down the hall of my apartment building just as the door to the service elevator opened. Thinking someone would come out of the door with their arms full; I stood still, away from the service elevator door, so the person could easily pass when the door opened. When it opened, out came a dog on a leash. My neighbor did not have a good hold on the leash, her dog jumped up on me, and, unprovoked, bit my arm. Fortunately, my arm was only bruised and the dog had been vaccinated for rabies. The dog owner’s veterinarian provided an official rabies vaccination certificate and there was no need for alarm.

Susan’s story is not as simple. While at an outdoor café, Susan saw a cute dog and asked the owner’s permission to pet it. Permission was granted and as soon as Susan began to pet the dog, it bit her on the hand causing serious bleeding. In the fray, the dog and the owner disappeared, Susan was taken to the emergency room, and because the dog’s rabies vaccination status was unknown, she had to get the series of rabies shots for her own safety.

Fur the Love of Pets readers can learn some valuable lessons from these two stories:

• Always follow the rules for safe interaction with dogs. To view a video, click here.


• Following the rules does not guarantee safety, and children interacting with any dog should always be supervised. Both Susan and I followed the rules for safe interaction with dogs. Susan asked permission from the owner before petting the dog and I stood still as a tree even when the dog rushed toward me.


• 
  Train your dog to safely interact with strangers so they don’t jump up and bite when they meet new people.


• Keep your dog current on rabies vaccinations.


• If your dog bites someone, no matter how embarrassing it is, give your name and address to the person who was bitten. It may save them from needing the series of shots required to prevent rabies, like Susan received.


• Provide a copy of your dog’s rabies vaccination certificate to the person your dog has bitten. They will sleep a bit easier knowing your dog is protected against rabies and this knowledge may prevent them from needing the human rabies shots.

Susan and I are unusual in that we were adult victims of a dog bite. Children are more likely to be involved. If you have children, the American Academy of Pediatrics has a lesson in dog safety for parents.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 14th, 2012 at 12:54 pm and is filed under dogs, pet health, pets, veterinarian. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Chicken Update: Dog Bites, Molting and More

Dog Bite

About a month ago I happened to go in the backyard right as I hear one of my chickens squawking like crazy.  Scanning our yard I see chickens fleeing away from our fence which then brought my attention to one of ours on the OTHER side of the fence where a DOG lives and it’s flying frantically across the yard.  Then the dog leaps and catches the chicken right in his mouth!!!!  I scream and yell at the dog and he lets go and the chicken comes running toward the fence trying to get through.  It’s Oreo, the mischievous one, what a surprise.  She finds a small opening under the fence and gets about half way under before getting stuck.  I frantically dig her out and can’t believe she is still alive at this point.  Our neighbor’s yard was covered in feathers.  I pulled her through the fence.  The bite wound was deep and her flesh was grotesquely torn and she had a limp.  I hoped for the best but expected the worst.  My daughters and I rushed to the store and got bandages and neosporine.  I doused her wound with it and covered it with gauze and then wrapped it around with that stretchy band wrap.  

 After a few days I couldn’t believe she was still alive!  But her wound had turned a horrific bright green color.  I figured she must be doomed at this point but I’d give her a few more days.  After all she was walking and eating and foraging like normal.  The other chickens didn’t even peck at her like they normally do.  They were actually being really nice to her.  I think the biggest help was when I poured hydrogen peroxide on the wound.  The green went away.  It cleaned it out, dried it up, and closed healthily.  She grew her feathers in over a few weeks and was back to normal!  I cannot believe how resilient chickens are!  

So here are my wound tips:  1)clean wound with soapy water  2)use neosporine and gauze bandage and wrap 3)replace bandages twice a day for 2 days 4) day 3 use hydrogen peroxide and let wound air out.  I think Oreo’s wound turned green because there was too much moisture and the bandage wasn’t letting it air out.  I am no vet by any means but this worked for our situation and there is no one around that wants to stitch up a chicken.

Broken Leg

A few months before that Oreo broke her leg, who knows how.  It healed all on it’s own.  She limped for a few days, sat for a few days, limped some more and then it was all good.  It took a couple weeks to heal.  In the mean time I brought her food and water and moved her around the yard to be with the other chickens.  Apparently broken legs are somewhat common.

Molting

With our abundance of eggs I felt charitable and have been giving our excess away to friends and family.  Well, about a month ago I noticed an increase of feathers…all  over   the   yard    everywhere.  yeah they are molting.  (molting is when birds shed their feathers and grow new ones).  And did you know they molt for about 2 months?  And did you know chickens don’t lay eggs when they molt?  Yeah, now I’m out of eggs.  When I was out of town my husband threw away our last carton because he left them out on accident.  I shoulda told him they’d probably be fine, but I figured we’d get more.  Yeah, not so much.  I miss my organic eggs soooo much.  Store bought ones are such a let down.  And I can’t bring myself to buy the organic ones because they are 4 bucks.  So I guess this is a good lesson for me to keep my stock pile up for the fall.  They usually molt every fall, it’s warm enough to lose feathers and there is still an abundance of food for them to prepare for the winter.

Brooding

Pigeon is our brooder.  Brooding is when a chicken wants to hatch her eggs.  She’ll sit on her nest all day and may come out once or so a day.  It’s about a 21 day cycle.  Even if you don’t have a rooster, they’ll brood anyway.  She gets all fluffy puffied up and squawks around the yard when she finally emerges from the coop once a day.  They can brood about twice a year.  They do not lay and become a nest hog.  It’s rather funny.  I usually bring her food and make her get out to drink water.  Brooding can be onset by a nest full of eggs or just the season or some are just more inclined to brood.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week- Preventing Bites in Children

In the first part of our series, we discussed why dogs bite. Today, we’re going to discuss how to prevent dog bites in children. Below are some interesting statistics on dog bites in children:

According to the American Humane Association:

• 50% of dog attacks involved children under 12 years old


• 82% of dog bites treated in the emergency room involved children under 15 years old


• 70% of dog-bite fatalities occurred among children under 10 years old⁵
  


• Bite rates are dramatically higher among children who are 5 to 9 years old


• Unsupervised newborns were 370 times more likely than an adult to be killed by a dog


• 65% of bites among children occur to the head and neck


• Boys under the age of 15 years old are bitten more often than girls of the same age

Although adults do often get dog bites, it is blatantly obvious that children are the more likely victims of being bitten or attacked by dogs. Children don’t always have the best manners, and may treat dogs like they would a stuffed animal. The only difference is a stuffed animal can’t cause severe injury or bodily harm! Here are some helpful tips on how to prevent dog bites in children.

The first way to prevent bites or attacks is to never, EVER leave an infant or a young child alone with a dog. If they are left alone and the child is bitten, you have no way to know if the child provoked the attack or if it was unprovoked. It is unfortunate, but if something happens to your child when you’re not there, odds are you will never be able to trust your dog again, and your dog can sense that distrust.

Dr. Sophia Yin

Next, make sure you start educating your children at an early age. Dr. Stacey Kilcullen highly recommends that everyone check out Dr. Sophia Yin’s Website. Dr. Sophia Yin is an internationally acclaimed veterinary behaviorist, and her website has an entire section on dog bite prevention, with a variety of links geared toward preventing dog bites in children. Click Here for a direct link to this section of her website.

When your child meets an unknown dog, always make sure you have your child ask the owner if it’s OK to pet their dog. Asking permission is not only a courtesy to the pet owner, but if the pet is not friendly then a crisis is diverted.

If there is an unknown dog loose in your neighborhood, your child should not run, and especially not scream. Running and screaming will attract the dog, and make the dog more likely to chase them. Instead, stand motionless. The best way to describe this to a child is by telling them to “be still like a tree.”

Instruct your child to never approach a dog when they are sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies. If a dog is woken from a deep enough sleep, it could seriously scare the dog, causing it to lash out and who/whatever happens to be closest. Some dogs are also food aggressive, and if approach while eating may think that you are a threat to their food.

Sources:

http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/stop-animal-abuse/fact-sheets/dog-bites.html

bites | Fearfuldogs" Blog

Archive for the ‘bites’ Tag

The Behavior Sandwich

Posted April 23, 2012
Filed under: Dog training, Helping fearful dogs | Tags: anxious dogs, applied animal behavior, barking, bites, dog bites, dog training, dogs, growling, positive reinforcement, scared dogs, training fearful dogs
Comments (7)

People often think of a dog’s behavior in much the same way as they think about a sandwich. It’s usually the meat in the middle that they are most concerned with. But behavior, like a sandwich has more going on than just the filling. What’s around the filling can matter a lot. Imagine going into a deli and ordering ham & cheese on rye and being handed ham & cheese on a sundried tomato wrap. It may not seem like a big deal to some but for others, thanks, but no thanks, it’s not what was ordered.

When we are trying to get a dog to change their behavior, what happens before and after the behavior plays a role in what the behavior looks like. There are some who treat behavior like an open-faced sandwich; the behavior and what follows it. If they can figure out a way to either reward or punish the dog, they’ll get the behavior to increase or stop.

Thinking about what comes before the behavior occurs is often overlooked, or misunderstood by us. It may appear one way to us but what matters most is how it is perceived by the dog. There are many behaviors which would change if we were able to adjust what happens before they occur. And there are many ways we can do this, if we only took a moment or two to think about it. We can adapt the dog’s environment to make it easier for them to do the right thing, and make the wrong behavior require more effort. We can do this without ever having to hurt, scare or startle a dog.

Whether we are trying to get a dog to perform a behavior, or get one to stop, if we think, just stop and think, we will discover that there’s a lot more to choose from than just white or whole wheat.

Police Dog Bites Are More Serious Than Bites by Pet Dogs and More Often Result in Hospitalization and Surgery

Do bites by police dogs differ from bites by pet dogs? Without having thought at all about it, I probably would have assumed that the difference would come from the fact a police dog is often trying to subdue someone who is running away, while a house pet might be inclined to bite someone playing too rough or too long, or doing something else the dog doesn’t like. There are other differences, according to a trauma physician who looked at records of bite victims of the Los Angeles Police Department K9 Unit form 1988 to 1990. Dr. Meade also looked at bite victims at the King-Drew Medical Center, an LA inner city public hospital.

Police dog bite victims were bitten multiple times 73% of the time and hospitalized 42% of the time, while domestic dog bites were multiple only 16% of the time and resulted in hospitalization 6.9% of the time. Police dog bite victims were male 98% of the time and female only 2% of the time, while with domestic bites the victims were male 69% of the time and female 32% of the time. Children under 13 were bitten by police dogs almost never (0.2% of the time), while 74.8% of police dog bites were of individuals from 13 to 29 years old. Domestic dog bites were of children 29% of the time and were spread more evenly across age ranges. Police dog bites involved angiograms 8.9% of the time and operations 4% of the time, while angiograms were rare (0.1%) in domestic dog bites, and operations resulted 2.3% of the time.

Police dogs in the study were generally of larger breeds, such as Malinois and Dobermans, weighing from 70 pounds up. The dogs were taught to bite down hard, using their full mouths, including incisors in the front and molars at the back in order to strengthen their hold on a suspect. They were trained to “bite and hold,” i.e., not to let go until commanded to do so. Officers generally allowed dogs to continue to bite suspects as long as they struggled and fought to free themselves. This is called “bite until passive.” There were other differences. Police dogs bite the torso or limbs close to the torso, while domestic dogs more often catch a hand. The figure above shows the percentage of bites by body area, with police dog bites on the left and domestic dog bites on the right.

There were racial patterns. Caucasians made up 41% of LA County under the 1990 census but received only 7% of police dog bites. Hispanics made up 37% of the county population and were 32% of police dog bites. African-Americans made up 10% of the county population, yet were 60% of police dog bites. The article did not look at deployment patterns of police dogs and contained no discussion as to the disparity in the ethnicity of police dog bite victims. Judges have sometimes questioned whether racial factors might be present in the use of police dogs. See the dissent of Judge Logan of the Tenth Circuit in U.S. v. Moore, 22 F.3d 241 (10th Cir. 1994), questioning whether sniff searches at the Albuquerque train station might have indicated racial profiling. See also Chavez v. Illinois State Police, 27 F.Supp.2d 1053 (N.D. Ill. 1998), where the basis of a civil rights action concerned possible targeting of African-American and Hispanic motorists for drug sniffs.

Peter C. Meade, Police and Domestic Dog Bite Injuries: What Are the Differences? What Are the Implications about Police Dog Use? Injury Extra 37(11), 395-401 (2006). DNA testing has begun to be used to determine if a specific dog was involved in an attack. This could be useful in eliminating the need for rabies vaccinations in some cases. Brauner, P., Reshef, A., and Gorski, A., DNA Profiling of Trace Evidence–Mitigating Evidence in a Dog Biting Case. Journal of Forensic Sciences 46(5), 1232-1234 (2001). Matching a dog’s mouth to bites is complicated as density of tissue and other factors can affect the bite pattern. See Bush, M.A., Thorsrud, K., Miller, R.G., Dorion, R.B.J., and Bush, P.J. (2010). The Response of Skin to Applied Stress: Investigation of Bitemark Distortion in a Cadaver Model. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 55(1), 71-76.

Dog Bites Man: - The Volokh Conspiracy

The Supreme Court has reversed the Ninth Circuit in an AEDPA case yet again, this time in Knowles v. Mirzayance. Interestingly, the Court held not only that relief wasn’t available under AEDPA, but that no relief would be available even under a de novo standard.

Preventing Dog Bites

   It seems that  almost weekly the news contains a story relating to a dog bite or mauling. When one begins to examine the situation or cause; sadly it may have been avoided. Each year in the U.S. alone, an estimated 5 million people–nearly 2% of the population–are bitten by dogs. About 800,000 of these people require medical attention as the result of the bite or attack, and about 15-20 die from their injuries. These numbers, however, while alarming, are not particularly shocking, given that there are an estimated 65 million dogs in the U.S. What may be more surprising is that most dog bites are preventable if owners train and care for their dogs properly and if potential bite victims–that is to say, nearly all of us–know how to behave around dogs.  Even a good dog can bite.

Here are 11 suggestions for avoiding dog bites:

1. 
   
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   Keep your distance from dogs you don’t know. Some dogs are so cute it’s almost impossible to resist petting them. Think twice before you try to make friends with an unfamiliar dog, because some dogs simply aren’t very friendly, and many otherwise pleasant dogs may be skittish around strangers.

• Never try to pet an unfamiliar dog that’s behind a fence, tied up, or in a car. Dogs can be very protective of their territory, and if you enter their space you’re just asking to be bitten.


• Avoid loose dogs. If you’re walking and you see an unfenced, untied dog up ahead, try to avoid it. Cross the street or go around the block. Stay out of reach of dogs on leashes, as well.
  
  
  


• Ask the dog owner’s permission before you pet a dog. If a dog doesn’t handle strangers well, the owner usually knows.

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   Allow dogs to investigate you before you touch them. Dogs are naturally curious and may want to sniff you or approach you slowly. This is usually not threatening behavior, but if you don’t allow a dog to investigate you before you try to touch him, he’s liable to bite in self-defense. By the same token, never surprise a dog and touch him when he’s not expecting it.
   

   
   
   
   


2. 
   
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   Be gentle. Don’t play rough with a dog, or the dog may play rough back, which may result in you getting bitten. An excited dog is an unpredictable dog.
   

   
   
   
   


3. 
   
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   Let sleeping dogs lie. Don’t rouse a dog that’s sleeping, especially if it’s not your dog. In addition, avoid disturbing dogs while they’re feeding, chewing on a bone or chew toy, or caring for their puppies.
   

   
   
   
   


4. 
   
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   Stay away from mad dogs. Dogs frequently will tell you if they don’t want you around. If a dog growls, bears its teeth and wrinkles its nose in a snarl, or if the hair on a dog’s back is raised, keep away.
   

   
   
   
   


5. 
   
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   Stand your ground. Don’t run away from a dog, especially a threatening one. Turning your back on a dog and running may awaken the dog’s instinct to chase prey, and you don’t want to be prey. If you encounter an unfamiliar dog, keep your cool, and walk slowly away without turning your back. Stand still if the dog appears ready to attack you, and keep your hands close to your sides with your fingers curled in to prevent getting them bitten.
   

   
   
   
   


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   Avoid eye contact with a dog. Don’t look a strange dog right in the eyes. The dog may see this as a challenge.
   

   
   
   
   


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   Teach children how to act around dogs, and don’t leave children unattended with dogs. Children are small and vulnerable to bites, and they also tend to want to play with dogs even when dogs aren’t feeling up to playing. This can lead to situations where a child is in fact harassing a dog, and the dog may become aggressive in order to get the child to stop. If you are leaving the room with a dog and a small child, take the dog with you. That way, if the child has a scratch or a bruise, you know it was not caused by the dog.
   

   
   
   
   


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   Do not HUG dogs. Dogs do not hug each other. Dogs mount each other to mate, show dominance, or to try to get a reaction from another dog. Hugging a dog might get a reaction you do not want, a nip or a bite. Hugging a dog is rude. It is much kinder and more polite to simply stand there, or stroke the friendly dog under its chin.
   

   
   
   
   


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   Be careful when moving an injured dog. A dog in pain may lash out even at a friendly person. If you do want to help move a dog that has been injured, either be prepared to receive a minor bite or put on heavy gloves and a heavy coat to protect yourself. If the owner is present, ask him or her to handle the dog’s head while you help lift the body. Covering a dog’s head with a coat or shirt might help to prevent the dog from seeing you and might block the bite.
   

   
   
   
   


10. 
    
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    Be careful when splitting up dogs that are fighting. If possible try not to physically touch the dogs at all. Spraying with a hose or pepper spray may work. If the fight is not too serious, human breath spray (Listerine or Binaca)is disgusting to most dogs, but not harmful. If you have to touch them, grab them by the hind legs to pull them apart. Don’t touch them near their collars, heads or shoulders. If both dogs seem to want to keep fighting, try to drag one through a doorway or gate, and use the door/gate to separate them.

    
    


11. As dog owners, there are steps we can take to help our dog deal with situations better and not respond by biting.

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   Begin socializing your dog early. Dogs that feel uncomfortable or threatened around new people or other dogs are more likely to bite. Introducing your dog to other people and critters first in a non-threatening environment (your home, for example), and then by bringing him out into new environments will ease your dog’s fears and improve his behavior around others.
   

   
   
   
   


2. 
   
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   Get your dog accustomed to eating around people. Since most bites occur when someone tries to pet a dog who is eating, distract your dog when it is a puppy. push it’s head away from the bowl, take the bowl, push or rub it, do things that you normally shouldn’t. This will socialize the dog to people being around it while it is eating, effectively reducing the risk of a biting.  This especially important when you have small children in the home.  I also instruct my puppy owners to purchase and use a 48″ wire carte as a “safe place” for the puppy–when he is in his “house” he is not to be bothered.  I also advise them to feed the puppy in the crate–prevent distractions and you know how much the puppy is eating.
   

   
   
   
   


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   Train your dog basic commands. Training your dog to sit, stay, and drop his toys on command will give your dog the discipline he needs in order for you to help him stay out of trouble.  I use “leave it” and “drop It”–I also teach them “give it to me”.  I Never place my hand in their mouth to take away an object–I let them give it to me.
   

   
   
   
   


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   Play non-aggressive games with your dog and don’t encourage biting. Games like tug-of-war can strengthen a dog’s instinct to bite and can make him feel that biting is acceptable behavior. The same can be said if you allow your puppy to nip your hands. That behavior can mean trouble when the puppy gets older and  bigger.
   

   
   
   
   


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   Keep your dog’s vaccinations up-to-date. A sick dog, particularly one with rabies, is a dangerous dog, no matter how gentle or well-trained he is normally.
   

   
   
   
   


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   Be a loving and responsible owner. While it’s important to discipline your dog, do not discipline him by hitting him or by other violent means. Give your dog plenty of attention and make sure he knows that people are his best friends. Neglected or abused dogs are much more likely to bite people than are dogs that are showered with love and attention. Besides, animal abuse and neglect is reprehensible, and it’s a crime. If, for whatever reason, you can’t care for a dog properly you should not have one.
   

   
   
   
   


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   Keep your dog on a leash when out and about. A leash is the most effective bite-prevention device available. Without a leash you don’t have any way to make certain your dog doesn’t run after a dog or another person. Besides, leash laws are common, so if you don’t have your dog leashed, you may be breaking the law. If you know your dog gets nervous around strange people and animals, consider also using a soft muzzle on walks to prevent aggressive behavior such as barking and nipping.
   

   
   
   
   


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   Keep your dog away from trouble situations. If you know that dog doesn’t interact well with other dogs, don’t bring him to the neighborhood dog park. If your dog gets aggressive around delivery men, keep your dog in another room when you answer the door. As a pet owner, you know your dog’s personality and dislikes, and you are in the best position to keep him or her out of trouble. PLEASE if your dogs does play well witgh other dogs DON”T take it to a dog park and turn it loose!!

   
   


9. Here are a few general tips to avoid dog bites:

• When walking your dog, make sure you keep your dog on a leash and stay clear of other dogs. Try to anticipate problems if you see another dog ahead. Even if your dog is friendly, that doesn’t mean everyone else’s is. If a fight does break out, be careful how you go about breaking it up (see above). As the dog’s owner you will almost certainly have to get involved even though there is a risk of being bitten. If the fight isn’t broken up quickly, one or both of the dogs could suffer serious injury.  NEVER grab at the head of a dog fighting–if you can, grab the hind legs and pull them apart.

• Understand that just about any dog can inflict a serious bite. Plenty of people who have the good sense to avoid a huge Rottweiler get bitten because they don’t think twice about approaching a feisty little dachshund. As a home health nurse, I had more problems with dogs under 10 pounds ( and I will list no breeds!!) than large dogs going after me trying to bite me.

• If you leave your dog in the yard alone, make sure the yard is securely fenced and/or that the dog is on a chain. Do not leave your dog chained for extended periods, as this is known to foster aggression.  I personally do not approve of chaining any dog-I would rather secure my dog inside my fence or a roomy dog kennel.

Remember:  Early training and socialization can help your puppy grow into a confident dog. Educating yourself on dog behaviors can help alert you  and avoid  a possible biting situation.  Training your children on proper behaviors can help foster a loving relationship for  both your kids and your dog. Good dogs don’t just happen–it takes investing time, training and love to have a good canine citizen. This should be the primary responsibility of every dog owner. If more dog owners did, we would have less tragic result of dog bites in the news.  JMO.  

 I hope that some of this information may be helpful to dog owners.  The more you educate yourself on how to be a better pet owner, the better life for you and your pet. Life is great when you can spend and share it with all your family members–especially the 4-legged ones!!

Catie Arney                 kiokeemastiffs@embarqmail.com