While your own dog is obviously your best friend, dogs owned by others can be far less lovable. In fact, some dog breeds have a history of aggression, and when their owners don’t employ the necessary care to ensure their pets don’t harm others, it can lead to dangerous attacks. If you or someone you love has been injured by a dog bite or attack, reach out for the professional legal guidance of an experienced New Jersey dog bite liability lawyer.
The State of New Jersey has no laws on the books that are breed specific, but some municipalities do. According to DogsBite.org, pit bull terriers and rottweilers are the two most aggressive – and most dangerous – breeds.
Consider the following sobering statistics:
Other breeds that are often labeled as aggressive include:
Any type of dog can be unpredictable and attack. On the other hand, there are plenty of dogs considered aggressive breeds that never attack anyone. The key is that owners and visitors should always use particular caution when they have dogs that are breeds generally more prone to aggression. Proper training and precautions are necessary to avoid dog bite injuries and liability.
The ASPCA reports that aggression is one of the most common and the most serious dog behavior concerns that owners face. Aggression refers to a range of behaviors that can be aroused in dogs for a range of reasons. Consider the scenarios that generally incite aggression in all wild animals, including:
Those species, like dogs and people, who live in groups implement aggression to help negotiate social interactions and maintain order.
When it comes to dogs, aggression can take a range of forms that generally start with identifiable warning signs and can end in an attack. A dog’s warning system tends to begin with a still, rigid stance and to proceed through a loose series of steps that can include:
Once a dog gives a warning sign, aggression can intensify very rapidly. Dogs can stop the aggressive cycle at any stage, but they can also combine and skip steps – heading directly to attack in highly charged situations. Knowing your pet’s warning signs and responding to them immediately is critical. Pit Bulls are one of the few breeds that may not give any warning before charging, which makes employing hypervigilance with these animals paramount.
If your dog has shown signs of aggression in the past or you’re afraid it might happen in the future, it’s important to analyze the situations that seem to get under your pet’s skin. Ask yourself all the following questions:
When you have a feel for what triggers your dog’s aggression, you’ll be far better prepared to effectively address the issue.
A dog’s aggression can be ignited by any number of factors, but most fall into one of several categories.
Many dogs are territorial, and they’ll attack a perceived intruder – regardless of who it is. Territorial aggression is common in male and female dogs. This territorialism can extend to the outer boundaries of the property or to the threshold of the owner’s home, and understanding your dog’s territorial instincts can help you better protect your guests.
Aggression in dogs is often inspired by their desire to protect their owners and those they’ve bonded with. A dog with a litter of puppies may exhibit aggression that you’ve never witnessed before, but both male and female dogs can engage in protective aggression.
Some dogs show aggression in relation to what’s theirs, such as their bed, their chew toys, their bones, or anything else. The target doesn’t have to be an actual threat to the dog’s possessions for the dog to react aggressively.
Fear can drive people to act aggressively, and it can do the same for dogs. When a dog is cornered or trapped – or feels cornered or trapped – it can react with aggression. While fearful dogs often retreat or adopt timid postures, they are more inclined to attack if they feel hemmed in – or as if they can’t get away. Sometimes, a fearful dog will run away from someone it fears but will circle back to nip at them from behind once the person retreats. It’s important to note that if your dog takes a fearful posture, it could be a warning sign of aggression.
Some additional causes of aggression in dogs include the following:
The bottom line is that you can’t allow your dog to harm other people, and in order to do this, you have to ensure that it is properly trained and socialized for your lifestyle. A big part of this is understanding what makes your dog tick and implementing all necessary caution to ensure you don’t put them in situations that may arouse aggression – in addition to being well prepared to nip signs of aggression in the bud if they do arise. If you sense that there’s a risk of your dog becoming aggressive, it’s a good time to safely leash or otherwise contain them.
Because you are ultimately responsible for your dog’s actions, it’s important to carefully consider the risk factors you need to assess regarding how best to manage your pet’s aggressive tendencies, including:
Finally, the extent to which your dog is exposed to targets of its aggression will play a primary role in the actions you’ll need to take. For example, if your dog is triggered by strangers, it’s unlikely to be a problem if you live out in the country and keep your pup securely fenced in. If, however, your dog is spooked by children and you run a daycare, you’ve got a much bigger problem.
Some forms of dog aggression can be safely addressed by implementing careful strategies that ensure your pet won’t have the opportunity to attack. Others, unfortunately, cannot.
If someone else’s aggressive dog leaves you injured, David J. Cowhey at The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer is a formidable dog bite liability lawyer who appreciates how difficult your situation is and is poised to fiercely advocate for your claim’s most favorable resolution – in support of your most complete recovery. Learn more about what we can do to help you by contacting or calling us at 866-343-3181 today.