Dog attacks decreasing, says animal expert

A recent spate of dog attacks may be creating a false impression that attacks are on the rise, says an animal behaviourist.

Associate Professor Kevin Stafford of Massey University said the number of dog attacks had decreased since the Dog Control Act was introduced in 1996.

Police figures for that year show 623 offences involving a dog. Half the victims were admitted to hospital. But police figures for 1994 show 920 offences.

Professor Stafford said there were usually more dog attacks in summer because more pets were taken for walks in parks, at the beach or other public areas.

Some attacks, such as that on 4-year-old Michaela Haar in Christchurch, were territorial. She had part of her nose bitten off after putting her head through a hole in a fence where the dog was being kept.

"Territorial offensive biting is natural for dogs. One of the reasons we keep dogs is to protect our property by barking when they see visitors," Professor Stafford said.

"For some dogs, moving from territorial barking to biting is only a matter of time. We've all seen dogs that run along the fence of a front garden barking at passersby.

"Allowing a dog to live in a front garden and to bark and chase after pedestrians in this manner is foolish and asking for trouble."

Professor Stafford said strengthening the powers of dog control officers was probably unnecessary. The present law was adequate but enforcement was difficult.

"The 1996 act is very good but it is impossible to have animal control officers patrolling public spaces all the time to check that dogs are not present or on a lead as required."

Part of the problem was people failing to complain when they saw dogs running free or charging up to front fences, snarling or biting.

If authorities were told about potentially dangerous dogs, some attacks could be prevented.

Another problem was that when a dog control officer recommended an aggressive animal be put down, the public often backed the dog.

Many attacks went unreported, such as when a dog hurt a family member. A US study found most adults visiting hospitals because of dog bites had been bitten by their own pets, Professor Stafford said.

He said a ban on some breeds should be considered.

- NZPA