Dog Breeds and Aggressive Tendencies
Dogs of all breeds are faithful and loving companions for millions of American families. Unfortunately, while dogs normally live up to the name of “man’s best friend,” they can also be very dangerous when not properly cared for, socialized, or trained. Each year there are more than 350,000 dog bite victims who visit emergency rooms, and the cost of losses due to bites exceeds $1 billion per year. Sadly, all of these are preventable if the owners exercise responsibility in raising their dogs.
Contrary to what some believe, dog attacks do not only occur with dogs thought to be “aggressive dog breeds.” Any breed can become vicious if the owner is negligent in the raising, training, and/or handling of the dog. We handle cases involving all types of dogs. Here is some additional information on some of the different breeds we have handled cases regarding:
- Alaskan Malamutes
- Doberman Pinschers
- Great Danes
- Pit Bulls
- Akitas
- Chow Chows
- Presa Canarios
- German Shepherds
- Rottweilers
However, the reality is that any dog can be dangerous, from the smallest Chihuahua to the largest Mastiff. Whether a dog is dangerous or not is going to depend upon the training and feedback it receives from its owner.
When Dogs Become Dangerous Dogs
When a human abdicates his/her responsibilities as a pack leader, the dog in the family can start to try to take over the leadership role. This can create a dog that is overly aggressive and overly protective as the animal feels it is solely his or her responsibility to guard and care for the family. Some dogs will become confused and fearful when left to fill the void of the pack leader since they won’t know what to do or how to succeed in the confusing human world. This, too, can cause the dog to become more aggressive out of fear or a desire to do what he believes is right.
Unfortunately, failing to become the pack leader is only one possible mistake that people make in training their dogs. Another big problem is when a dog is not properly socialized. As puppies, dogs should be exposed to a variety of different stimuli they are likely to encounter, from vacuum cleaners to kids on bikes to other dogs. If a dog isn’t exposed to things as a puppy, the dog may become fearful of them when older. A scared dog can turn to aggression towards other dogs to hide his fear.
These mistakes can be made by even loving pet owners, leading to canine aggression. Other actions by less diligent pet owners, such as leaving a dog unattended on a chain all day, can also create aggression and increase the bite risk and potential for a dog to become a dangerous dog.
A Houston Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help
Regardless of why a dog becomes aggressive, a bite by any breed of dog can have serious consequences and can cause devastating injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog bite incident or by a dog attack, you need to take action to understand your legal rights.
A knowledgeable dog bite lawyer at Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., can help. Dog owners can and should be held accountable if their dog bites, and a dog bite lawyer at Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., will work with you to make a claim for your losses and damages resulting from the bite.