Dangerous dogs

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 came into force on 12th August 1991:

Section 1 deals with fighting dogs and names four specific breeds - the Pit Bull Terrier, the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino and the Fila Braziliero
Section 2 applies to all dogs and contains reserve powers to impose muzzling and leashing conditions on dogs thought to present a serious danger to the public
Section 3 applies to all dogs and deals with those which are dangerously out of control in a public place or in any other place where they are not permitted to be

The police are the instigating authority for legal action under this legislation. We help and support the police for this, especially in advising and educating owners.

Keep your dog under control at all times

If you come across an unfriendly dog, here are a few tips to avoid a problem:

Never attempt to stroke/touch any dog without the owner's permission
Never run past a strange dog or walk quickly away from it as this may make it chase you. Always walk or back away slowly, facing the dog if you feel it may chase you
Try to avoid showing fear as a dog can sense it. Keep calm, whistle, walk slowly or speak firmly to the dog
Dogs rarely attack so don't be anxious about every dog you meet. Most are scared about getting into a fight but like to act tough in their own territory
Never stare at a dog as it is a threat and a dog may see you as a challenge and attack.

Recognising danger zones

There are certain times and places where a dog is more likely to be aggressive. By being aware of these, you may avoid being bitten. If you are a dog owner, you may be able to prevent your dog from biting someone else. If you have a dog that is aggressive, you should seek professional advice before someone is injured. Danger zones include:

On the dog owner's property. A dog may react aggressively to people it considers as intruders
Close by the owner's property. The dog may not recognise the boundary fence or the footpath as being the limit of his territory
In the car or on the back of a utility truck. The dog may consider the vehicle to be part of its territory and bite anyone who goes near it. If your dog is sitting in the car, don't leave the window down enough for the dog to lunge out and bite
At a local park or street where the dog regularly walks and urinates to mark this area as its territory
When being walked on a leash, some dogs may be protective of their owners and become aggressive towards people or dogs walking by
When the dog is near its owner or the owner's children. If someone touches the owner, the dog may think that person is threatening the owner and bite
When the dog is grabbed or pulled by the collar
When the dog is nervous, or feels cornered and can't run away
When the dog has a bone or toy, or is near its food or bed.

Supervising dogs with children

Dogs and small children should never be left together unsupervised. No matter how good natured the dog is, a dangerous situation could develop if the dog is hurt, frightened, cornered or feels threatened. Children must not hug and kiss dogs. Many bites on children's faces result from the child trying to hug a dog. Children must be taught to handle animals gently and carefully. Adults supervising dogs with children should be aware of potentially dangerous situations:

when food is around
when the dog is nervous or excited
when the dog is unwell or in pain
when the dog has a litter of pups
when two dogs are playing or fighting together
when visiting children are with the dog

when children play in or near the dog's bed.

Your dog may need to be trained to wear a muzzle for safety if you are at all uncertain about how it will react to children. Remember to praise and reward your dog for good behaviour. Obedience training will help you to control your dog's behaviour.

Recognising early signs of aggression

Does your dog ever tense up, stare, raise its hackles, growl, lift its lips or snap when:

eating or when food is around?
its ears, paws, tail or belly are touched?
someone goes near its bed or toys?
someone tries to move the dog from a comfortable spot?
it is told off?
someone pulls on its collar?
someone grabs the dog, or tries to pick it up?
it is approached by people, children or other dogs?

Does your dog lunge out at people or dogs when out walking? Does it rush out barking and growling at passers-by? If the answer is "yes" to any of these situations, your dog may be aggressive. These are the early warning signs. You need to seek professional advice, as its behaviour is likely to get worse, not better, with time. Don't wait until someone has is bitten. The sooner you get help, the more easily the problem can be solved.

Does your dog get very nervous, cower away or try to run away from children, adults or other dogs? If the answer is "yes", your dog could be dangerous if it ever feels threatened or cornered and may attack out of fear. You need to seek professional advice to help your dog overcome its fear. If you are concerned about your dog's behaviour, please consult your vet, who may be able to help or refer you to an animal behaviourist. Your dog may also require further socialisation and obedience training.

Common myths

Myth 1

Only certain breeds of dogs will attack people.

False! Any age, breed, sex and size of dog may bite. Some dogs or breeds may be more likely to bite than others if not socialised, trained and controlled properly. What the dog owner does with the dog after it is born is more important in preventing aggression than the dog's breeding.

Myth 2

Only cross-breed dogs bite.

False! Pedigree dogs will bite for the same reasons as cross breeds and as often.

Myth 3

A dog that attacks livestock or other animals is always a danger to people as well.

False! Not all dogs which attack other animals are dangerous to people.

Myth 4

Dogs only attack if the person has provoked the dog by teasing or cruelty.

False! Dog attacks can be provoked accidentally and the victim is not always to blame.

Myth 5

Dogs will bite people if they are fed fresh meat.

False! A dog's diet will not make it attack people.