SIGNS OF AGGRESSION IN DOGS
- Becoming very still and rigid
- Lunging forward or charging at the person with no contact
- Growling
- Showing teeth
- Snarl (a combination of growling and showing teeth)
- Quick nips that leave no mark
- Quick bites that tear the skin
Source: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
TIPS TO PROTECT AGAINST A DOG ATTACK
- Do not approach or touch a dog who's sleeping, eating or chewing on a toy.
- Never approach a barking, growling or scared dog.
- Do not pet unfamiliar dogs.
- If a loose dog comes near you, do not run or scream. Instead, avoid eye contact and stand very still until the animal moves away.
- If knocked to the ground by a dog, curl up in a ball with knees tucked into stomach and fingers interlocked behind the neck to protect neck and ears.
- Never try to outrun a dog.
Source: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Local dog trainers are offering advice to better recognize signs of aggression in dogs after the region’s third fatal dog mauling this year occurred Monday in Butler County.
Cindy Whisman, 59, of Madison Twp., was found dead Monday in her backyard after her daughter’s dog — a reported pit bull mix — attacked and killed her.
Other recent dog attacks in southwest Ohio include the death of Klonda Richey, 57, of Dayton, who was attacked in February by two of her neighbor’s mixed mastiff breed dogs. Earlier this summer, a 7-month-old in Dayton died after being attacked by an American Staffordshire Terrier, and a 6-year-old girl in Cincinnati sustained critical injuries after an attack by two pit bulls.
Angie Pullano, a certified dog trainer and owner of Fusion Dog Training in Liberty Twp., said it’s unusual for a dog to attack a person or another dog without first giving off signs of aggression, such as growling, baring teeth, snarling and biting.
“Most dogs really have been bred to be domesticated around people,” Pullano said.
Pullano said other signs of aggression usually seen in a dog’s general body language include appearing stiff and still and staring intensely for a long period. Pullano said oftentimes an attack happens because the owner has failed to recognize continued signs of aggression.
“People intervene too late when the problem has had months to develop,” Pullano said. “They wait until (the dog) really does bite someone.”
Pullano said if you do see a dog charging at you, the best thing to do is freeze and remain as still as possible. She said to not make threatening eye contact, and slowly back away from the dog as it begins to lose interest.
“Most dogs generally try to avoid prolonged eye contact with people they don’t know; it can be perceived as a threat,” Pullano said.
Susan Henson, of Middletown, said she’s been training dogs since age 13. She volunteers as a trainer at the Middletown Dog Training Club, where she also serves as treasurer.
Henson said the presence of aggressive dogs has been increasing in the classes offered at the club, which does have a policy against aggressive dogs. She said within the past two months, the trainers have had to refer four aggressive dogs to certified aggression specialists.
“We haven’t had any horrible incidents but we’re more vigilant,” Henson said. “It seems like dogs are getting more aggressive. … Nine times out of 10 it’s just an overly-friendly dog.”
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