It can be amusing to sit on the fringes of a dog park attempting to match the unleashed mutts with their owners. The resemblance in demeanour between pet and person as Bonzo or Bruno or Brutus comes to heel is sometimes startling. There is, of course, no scientifically proven correlation between the physiognomy of humans and canines, but there is a growing body of opinion suggesting that dogs, particularly aggressive dogs, owe much of their antisocial inclinations to their owners.
While aggressive instincts may be seen more commonly in some breeds of dogs than others, ultimately, it is suggested, this can be socialised out of most animals should the owners choose to do so.
Unfortunately, it appears many dog owners choose their breeds precisely because they want to own an intimidating animal. This is part of the conundrum facing legislators as they once again - after a recent rash of dog attacks - begin to seek lasting and practicable solutions to so-called "dangerous dogs".
Within the last month there have been five serious dog attacks on children. If there seems to have been any single common denominator it is, broadly speaking, the breeds - and the fact the victims were all children. Last Sunday, a 9-year-old girl was left with deep cuts to her head and arm after being attacked by her neighbour's American bulldog. On Saturday, an 18-month-old girl underwent emergency surgery after being mauled by her family's pit bull-Staffordshire cross. Last week, a 3-year-old Ashburton boy was badly bitten on the throat by a Doberman Staffordshire bull terrier, and on Christmas day a 15-month-old child was savaged by a pit bull. A few days earlier a 3-year-old boy needed surgery after a dog attack north of Auckland.
These are just some of the thousands of attacks that occur each year. In 2011, ACC received almost 10,000 claims for dog attacks, costing about $4 million.
There is fiscal impetus for addressing the issue, in addition to the obvious emotional trauma that such an attack can occasion, especially for a vulnerable child.
The question is precisely what to do about it.
There has been more talk about banning dangerous breeds. In fact there are already breeds outlawed in this country. These include the Brazilian Fila, the Dogo Argentino and the Japanese Tosa. It is illegal to import these breeds, and the American pit bull terrier is also a prohibited type of dog. But some dog experts say extending the ban even further is not the answer.
Locating all dogs - and crosses thereof - of newly gazetted dangerous breeds would be an administrative nightmare.
It would also undoubtedly run into the problem of much-loved and well-socialised family pets which fall into the particular category potentially being forcibly removed from their owners. Much better, suggest some, to have instead a licensing system for owners, similar to that which applies to car drivers or gun owners. This way responsible owners of placid and harmless dogs belonging to questionable breeds would not be punished for the errant behaviour of other, poorly socialised and aggressive canines.
However, one other factor needs to be recognised and all too frequently is not: even the most apparently gentle natured mutts can become frightened or apparently aggressive when confronted by the loud or inappropriate, albeit innocent, actions of children.
Exorcising the restraint not to snap when teased, pulled, pushed, screeched at, or otherwise wrongly treated, goes against the natural instinct of animals. While the correct socialisation of dogs is one step along the way to making them safer for those with whom they come in contact, the right schooling of children in their presence is equally important.
And another thing
A bouquet to the Otago Museum, its chief executive and staff, for another excellent performance in what has been a difficult trading year. Many museums allow to settle about them the fusty and dusty aura of the past. Not so the Otago Museum which, under the guidance of CEO Shimrath Paul, has managed to remain a vital, lively and contemporary component in the province's cultural life. Long may its inventiveness and its successes continue.
