Are Dogs Really a Problem?

[Ostrich]

Hi All  -- wasn't sure where to post this, but since it's dog related, maybe some of you will know. In your opinion, how much of a problem are dogs in New Zealand? I've seen dog-related stories in the news, and have read all the dog laws and safety tips, and it leads one to believe this is a real issue. I've also heard about the issues with fighting dogs, and gangs using dogs, etc.

Ex. Dog Safety: http://www.dogsafety.govt.nz

Despite all this dog-talk, I can't find any meaningful statistics to understand if this is a genuine problem in NZ, or just the result of some upsetting high profile media cases.

When walking around a city like Auckland or Wellington, how much of an issue is this?

[Savayla]

I am in Nelson, so cant' speak for the other cities.  Here dogs don't seem to be a problem at all.  We often see dogs on and off the leash, being walked along the rivers, the islands, etc etc.  We have 2 puppies and one older dog. 

There are a lot of media articles about kids being mauled by dogs in the face.  Mostly these are pitbulls, I think. 

We have a lot of pig hunters here in the Nelson / Marlborough region, so there are always utes riding around with pig dogs in cages on the back.  My old dog is an ex pig hunter.  As gentle as anything. 

I personally think that because it is a small country, and EVERYTHING is reported, it seems to be a problem , but is not.

[Ostrich]

Thanks, Savayla -- figured so. I'll file this in the same category of "killer bees." 

[SusanJ]

I absolutely agree with what Savayla said.  Most dog attacks here are sensationalised in the media and people become hysterical when a dog attacks a child.  While I can completely understand their distress because their child got hurt, I firmly believe that alot of times the REAL story is not entirely represented from the animal's point of view:  I.e. the child is small and tramples on the dog or the child approaches a dog they don't know on the street.  Just like dog owners need to take responsibility for their dogs by ensuring they are safely restrained when in public and they MUST be well trained and socialised to people.  BUT:  parents also need to be aware of their child's movements and behaviour around animals.  many times, the dog attack is provoked when the animal is startled or frighted or unexpectedly by a child.  You won't believe how many kids just don't have any concept of animal behaviour and the fact they shouldn't randomly approach dogs.  Too many dogs need to be destroyed after attacks (once off!) and the blame for most of these deaths, in my opinion, should lie squarely on the parent/child and not the innocent, startled animal.  In saying this, there are obviously exceptions where dogs have been bred to fight or be aggressive.

As a responsible dog owner, I get extremely annoyed with children (and adults) that approach my dogs in a screechy, noisy and chaotic manner.  Although ours are very well trained and when in public we are very wary of children's erratic behaviour around our dogs.  However there is only so much

Just my 2 cents...

Cheers
Susan

[Savayla]

As a responsible dog owner, I get extremely annoyed with children (and adults) that approach my dogs in a screechy, noisy and chaotic manner.  Although ours are very well trained and when in public we are very wary of children's erratic behaviour around our dogs.  However there is only so much


Susan

I totally agree.  I have taught my girls that no dog is safe and they will always ask the dog owner if their dog is friendly before approaching from the front. 

With my pig dog, after a week of having him, my daughter came crying and he had bitten her on her forehead, a nice little puncture mark with lots of blood.  I was devastated as this was not like him but I was prepared to give him back to his previous owner, knowing he would be shot.  But it really didn't make sense. He is as gentle as a butterfly.  So we reenacted the whole scene, questioned her thoroughly, and we found out that he had been stung by a wasp at that exact moment when she went across his back for a cuddle.   Thank goodness we didn't go hysterical and have him shot.  There is often a reason, not always, but most of the time.

[SusanJ]

Yea - Completely agree with there often being a good reason for the dog behaving unexpectedly.  Unfortunately in the trauma after the bite, most parents just flip out and don't try to find out what actually happened.  Too many dogs get destroyed because of that.