Dangerous Dogs

The Dogs (NI) Order 1983 as amended by the Dangerous Dogs (NI) Order 1991 covers the control of dogs and makes it an offence for any dog to attack or cause serious injury to a person or another animal.  The law bans the ownership, breeding, sale and exchange, and advertising for sale of specified types of fighting dogs.

There are four types of dog that the Dangerous Dogs (NI) Order 1991 bans as dangerous.  The “type of dog know as the pit bull terrier”,  Japanese Tosa type, Fila Braziliero type and Dogo Argentino type. 

Media interest has resulted in the public focus being directed almost entirely towards pit-bull type dogs.  The identification of pit-bull type dogs is a time consuming exercise that is usually the result of a misidentification in the first place of a different dog breed.  Derry City Council introduced a “dangerous dogs” amnesty in 2007 for three months resulting in the surrender of not a single prohibited dog. The amnesty afforded individuals who had by some means become the owner of such a prescribed breed the opportunity to surrender their dog.  It was also designed to increase people’s awareness of the Dangerous Dogs legislation.  Members of the public were encouraged to contact council if they suspected someone was in possession of such a dog.  In all cases investigated other dog breeds such as Staffordshire bull-terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier cross, English bull terrier, Japanese Akita and Mastiff type dogs were mistaken as “dangerous dogs”.  To date only one pit-bull type dog has been impounded and humanely destroyed in the Derry City Council area.
 

What is a dangerous dog?

There is little empirical evidence in Northern Ireland to suggest that the current legislation has been effective in protecting members of the public from serious dog attacks, as the vast majority of these have not been linked to any prescribed dangerous breed. 

It must though at the same time be recognised that certain dogs by their very size and breed characteristics possess a greater ability to attack and leave someone maimed for life or indeed kill. 
 

Aggression

Every year thousands of people are attacked or bitten by dogs.

What makes a Dog Bite?

In the wild dogs use their teeth to determine who is the strongest, and domestic dogs have not forgotten this primal instinct.  In some situations therefore pet dogs will bite as a method of demonstrating their dominance over other dogs, animals and humans.  In most instances a dog will only bite when it feels threatened in terms of its physical safety or to defend a threat to his valuable 'resources' e.g. food, resting area etc.   It may also bite if it is in pain or unwell.

Dogs will normally only fight as a last resort.  When a dog feels threatened, like most animals (including humans) he will usually do at least one of three things. He will 'freeze' (become motionless and hope that the threat goes away), 'flee' (run away from the threat to safety) or 'fight' (show aggressive behaviour by growling, baring teeth, snapping or biting to force the threat to go away).
 

Signs of Aggression

Aggressive dogs will:

• Crouch and hug the ground. 
• Have a stiff facial expression. 
• Have flattened ears. 
• Demonstrate a general stillness.

 

How to avoid aggression in your dog

• Select the correct breed for your disposition and purpose. 
• Select a female rather than a male - most aggressive dogs are male. 
• Large, male dogs can be castrated to reduce aggression. Following castration there is a marked reduction in the dog's dominance and aggression. The dog is more ready to obey commands. 
• Always ensure that puppies are socialised from an early age. Regular interaction with other dogs, animals and humans, as well as an introduction to a variety of environments will make the dog less fearful, nervous and aggressive in later life. Puppies may also 'inherit' fears from their mothers.

Good Practice

• Don't approach a strange dog, especially one which is tied up or confined. 
• Before you attempt to pet a dog, ask permission from the owner. Let the dog become familiar with you by allowing him to see and sniff the back of your closed hand. 
• Never leave children unsupervised with any dog, no matter how trustworthy. 
• If a dog is not be trusted with children or visitors to the home, then consider muzzling it. Modern muzzles allow free air passage and drinking, and do not frustrate the dog.

If threatened by a dog

1. Stand still. 
2. Don't scream. 
3. Avoid eye contact with the attacking dog but don't lose sight of him either. Try to remain motionless. 
4. Keep your hands reasonably high. Moving hands tend to be the first part of your body to be bitten. 
5. If you have anything to hand, like a briefcase or shopping bag, use it to block the approach of the dog. If you are a cyclist, don't cycle harder because most dogs can outrun a cyclist. Jump off your bike and position your bicycle between you and the dog. 
6. If you are knocked down, lie still, curl into a ball and play dead - this is especially important for children. 
7. If you are carrying food, use it to distract the dog. 
8. If these things are not getting the dog away from you and you cannot see the owner, then shout 'sit', because most dog owners have trained their dog to sit and many dogs will obey it automatically. 
9. Don't ever turn your back on the dog and never, ever run. The dog's natural instinct is to chase and catch prey. Most dogs do not have the courage to confront someone who is still but they may have a bite of someone's backside if they are on the run.

Contact

Micheal Duddy    
Kennel Supervisor/Dog Warden  
Tel: 028 71 261414     

Malachy Duddy
Dog Warden
Tel: 028 71365151

Links

www.dardni.gov.uk
www.uspca.co.uk
www.dogstrust.org.uk
www.thekennelclub.org.uk/