Inaccurate Rottweiler
Statistics
Reveal Solution: People & Dogs
Need Training To Prevent Future
Dog Attacks
by Kay Chirichigno
Researchers say people are mostly to blame for the 27 deaths from
dog attacks that occurred in 1997 and 1998 citing a common failure to train
dogs correctly and ignorance of how to behave around them. Despite inaccurate
statistics, the solution is people--parents and kids--and dogs need training to
prevent future dog attacks.
Rottweilers have become
During 1997 and 1998 Pit bulls were involved in 21 mauling deaths
according to the study. During 1997 and 1998, the Pit bull breed was
responsible for the most fatal attacks over any other according to the study.
It is completely unfair to make a comparison between Pit bulls and Rottweilers as Pit bulls have been targeted and banned from
many of our communities reducing their numbers to an unbalanced ratio between Rottweilers and Pit bulls.
"The most important factors missing were the amount of Rottweilers registered during that period of time and the
fact that Pit bulls have been banned all over the country. How could a fair
comparison be made?" questions Grace Acosta, Rottweiler
breeder licensed by AKC and President of the Gulfstream
Rottweiler Club. She points out that between 1991 and
1998 the Rottweiler jumped in popularity to number
two over all. To be fair to the Rottweiler breed the
study fails to give the number of Rottweilers
registered with AKC.
In comparison, the numbers don't add up. During 1999 the American
Kennel Club registered 41,776 Rottweilers compared to
0 Pit Bulls, because Pit Bulls are not a registered breed.
"The Rottweiler was not bred to be a
pet. Surprised? Don't be. Most dogs weren't bred to be pets. People that desire
these dogs for pets must work at teaching their dogs the rules of society, then
these frightening statistics will go away," says Pete Dettori,
Rottweiler owner, trainer, and writer for Canine
Workshop.
Between 1991 and 1998, thirty-three fatal attacks involved Rottweilers according to the study.
Nashville Attorney and longtime Rottweiler owner Michael J. Love says he,
"has never encountered any problem with the breed. I have never seen any behavior with the Rottweiler that
is different than other dogs. However, they are generally far more
athletic."
"It would be interesting to see further research on those
deaths to see how many were abused dogs, unsupervised,
and untrained or at least only shown violence. Personally, I have only had
great experiences with both breeds and my only death-fear has been of being
kissed or licked to death, "says Sheyrena
Boswell,
Dog bite fatality rates are less than one in 10 million according
to the study. Over all in 1997 and 1998 there were 27 dog attack deaths
including 19 children.
"Where are the parents when these attacks occur? People get
these dogs for the wrong reason. Most of them don't know anything about the
breed. They don't realize how big & powerful they can be. I own three Rottweilers & they have never bitten anybody. They were
raised with children. It's all in the way they are raised. If any dog is abused,
they will eventually bite. The parents of these victims should have better
supervision over their children. Most of the kids are latchkey children. No
supervision at home until the parents get home from work," says Quinn
Webb,
Pit bulls still have the lead in fatal attacks at 66 mauling deaths
between 1979 and 1998 involving at least one pit bull according to the study. Rottweilers were recorded for 37 mauling deaths mostly
during the 1990s. German shepherds followed with 17, Huskies
at 15, Malamutes at 12, and Doberman pinschers with nine.
During the past 20 years, annually the number of fatal attacks has
not differentiated much, according to the study, yet attacks have climbed on an
over all basis.
"The Rottweiler as well as any other
breed of dog is not to blame here. This falls on the responsible shoulders of
the owner. However, a dog is going to be a dog in any given situation. If they
are provoked into a defense situation, that is just
what they are going to do. I have seen on my local news where Rottweilers as well as other breeds have attacked children.
If a parent knows there is a Rottweiler, Pit bull, or
even a mix breed dog near where a child is playing, why are these children left
unattended? A child is going to be a child. To them it is all in the fun of
playing to pull a dogs tail, ears, hair, just as they would do to 'Lil Susie in school."
"My property is well posted with Beware of Dog signs, not Bad Dog signs--I
don't consider Tequila a bad dog. I also have No Trespassing signs posted as
well. Therefore, if a person read the sign and chooses to come through my
gates, this is poor judgment on their part," says Patty Johns,
The researchers say the numbers point out the following: 1) a
growing public ignorance of how to behave around dogs; 2) extensive
mistreatment of dogs; and 3) adults not instructing their children to stay away
from unfamiliar dogs. The study stresses this is a people problem, not a dog
problem. The number one rule parents need to teach their children is never to
approach an unfamiliar dog, because not all dogs are friendly. If a child
wishes to pet a dog, the child must be taught to ask permission from the dog's
owner first.
"Rottweilers can live in harmony
with children, as long as all parties are taught mutual respect. Children need
to learn that all dogs need to be respected. Dogs that are eating or sleeping
are never to be disturbed. Dogs should never be subjected to abusive behavior, including ear pulling, eye poking, blowing in the
face, etc. If any dog is abused enough, it will eventually defend itself if it
feels as though it has no alternative. A Rottweiler
is normally a very tolerant dog, but all animals have their limits as to how
much nonsense they will take before they issue a correction. It is the
responsibility of the dog owner to protect the dog from the misbehavior
of children, and it is the children's parents
responsibility to teach them proper dog etiquette."
"When properly bred, exercised and trained with positive
reinforcement, Rottweilers are extremely loving,
calm, stable companion dogs. People have created this situation, and it is up
to people to take responsibility for the situation and change it. They also
don't understand the strength of an 85 lb. one-year-old puppy," says Tonia
Ellsworth, aerobics instructor and Rottweiler owner,
"Obviously, a dog that weighs over 100 lbs. and has defensive
instincts needs to be trained and monitored properly. This kind of dog needs
training starting immediately upon arriving at home. Positive reinforcement
works extremely well with this breed, as it is a very intelligent breed of dog
that wants to work with its human. I recommend any owner to thoroughly research
the breed, understand how large it will grow to be, and commit to taking the
puppy to puppy-kindergarten classes, as well as at least two more basic
obedience classes. This breed needs a lot of mental stimulation. It needs to
have a job to be happy and well-adjusted."
"Rottweilers also need a lot of
exercise and safe space to play. All owners should have access to a large,
fenced yard. The fence should be a privacy fence. The fence should be high and
wooden, so that the dog has less of a chance of escaping, and less of a chance
of neighborhood kids being able to stick hands,
sticks, etc., through the fence to torment the dog. Rottweilers
should never be chained in a yard. This scenario leads to disaster, as the dog
becomes more aggressive the longer it is chained. Neighborhood
kids can come and taunt a chained dog and the dog has no place to retreat to. A
fenced yard is the only way to go. A Rottweiler
should never be allowed to roam the neighborhood. If
any dog thinks someone is invading his territory, he may bite. If a Rottweiler bites, the person may be literally scarred for
life. Worst-case scenario is when more than one Rottweiler
is allowed to roam the streets. This is just asking for a dog bite to
occur."
"The Rottweiler breed is not more
vicious or more aggressive than the
Copyright © 2000, Kay Chirichigano.
All rights
reserved. Professional writer Kay Chirichigno (pronounced KAY CHAIR-A-KEY-NO) is also a
five-star romance writer and children's book author. She is the creator
of Miffles and author of 'Santa's Stowaway.'
She can be reached at KChirichig@aol.com. She owns a male Rottweiller
named Rover who is her constant companion."
