Today's Times Colonist printed a letter from a concerned dog owner.
Dangerous dogs should be muzzled
Times Colonist
January 10, 2005
Re. "Spot may have to be leashed on golf trail," Jan. 6.
I'm a responsible off-leash dog walker on the Cedar Hill recreation facility trail. Seldom do we experience difficulties with other dogs or people but when we do, it is usually the same ones -- people and/or pets.
Most of the pet-owners, with leashed or unleashed dogs, take the time to socialize their pets properly, and understand the need to share the trail and obey the rules. Many of the dog walkers learn to recognize the people and pets who don't like our frisky friends' freedoms, and reign in our pets and ourselves to avoid problems. We don't need more restrictions, just more co-operative spirit amongst all the trail users.
As for rules to control dangerous dogs, I'd like to suggest muzzles be required for dangerous animals when in public places. Spaying and neutering won't cure aggressive dog behaviour, only responsible ownership and training can do that.
Higher licence fees for dangerous dogs will only mean most of them will be unlicensed.
Name withheld
This letter is unfortunately inaccurate.
Fatal dog attacks, 1989-1994
TABLE 3.
Parents
Consider the selection of any dog carefully(*)
Dogs should be sterilized to reduce aggressive tendencies
Never leave infants or young children alone with any dog
Make certain that any dog entering the household receives proper training and socialization. Try to teach submissive behaviors such as rolling over to show stomach, taking food away without growing, etc
Dogs with prior histories of aggression should not be considered appropriate for families with children
Teach children basic safety around dogs and review these ideas regularly
If your dog develops aggressive or undesirable behaviors, seek professional help immediately
Don't play aggressive games with your dog (eg, wrestling, "siccing")
Children
Never approach an unfamiliar dog
Never play with a dog unless supervised by an adult
Immediately report stray dogs displaying unusual behavior to an adult
Never run from a dog and scream
Avoid direct eye contact with a dog
Don't disturb a dog that is sleeping eating, or caring for puppies
Don't pet a dog without letting it see and sniff you first
Remain motionless when approached by an unfamiliar dog
If knocked over by a dog, lie still and remain in a ball
If bitten, report the bite to an adult immediately
(*) Realistically evaluate your environment and lifestyle to help decide the type of dog. Speak with a professional to make an informed decision. Ask questions about the dog's background. Although genetics play a contributing factor in aggression, each dog should be judged on an individual basis. Involve the family in the selection; be sensitive to cues that a child is fearful or apprehensive about a dog (if so, delay getting the dog). Spend time with a dog before bringing it into your home. User caution about bringing a dog or puppy into the home of an infant or toddler.
Spaying and neutering has been proven to greatly diminish aggressive behaviour and even the Pediatric Association is aware of this.
This advise is almost a decade old.
Pediatrics, June, 1996 by Jeffrey J. Sacks, Randall Lockwood, Janet Hornreich, Richard W. Sattin
Possible Messages for Anticipatory Pediatric Guidance on Preventing Dog Bites