“Dog mauling epidemic bites with attack every other day” screamed the headline in the Chronicle Extra.
The article reported DAERA statistics that 55 incidents of dog attacks on people or animals were reported to the council during April to July this year, the second highest figure in Northern Ireland and just over a seventh of the total for the whole province.
This included 35 cases where dogs attacked other pets, 19 attacks on people and one case of livestock worrying. Four dog owners were taken to court in the same period and fined around £700, three for attacks on people and one for worrying livestock.
Also in this period, 96 people were given on-the-spot fines, totalling £3,760– 68 for allowing their dogs to stray and 28 for not having a dog licence, again the second highest number in the province.
And these data only relate to the reported problems. Many dog attacks, especially on other dogs, are never reported so the true burden may be considerably higher than these figures suggest.
These figures also support what I say to all our clients – attacks on people are taken seriously, but attacks on other pets are not.
So how can you keep yourself and your dog safe?
First of all, make sure you train her to respond to you whenever and wherever you ask. Teach her to walk on a loose lead and come back when called.
Make sure you teach her to greet people nicely, keeping all four paws on the ground – and teach people how to approach her, too. Or avoid people greeting your dog when out and about if you want – it’s your choice.
When meeting other dogs, stick to the three second rule – allow a meet and sniff for no more than three seconds, then call your dog away and praise her well. Your dog can find out about other dogs in those three seconds, without getting over-excited or becoming fearful – either of these states can lead to problems.
That’s why it’s our only Down Dog rule.
Keep safe and keep training,
Carol
PS Don’t risk a fine or being taken to court. Here’s the link to book your Perfect Pet course.