Dog Bites: Behavior of Dogs and Humans Before an Attack
Ethological analyses of videos preceding dog bites offer a goldmine of data.
The link to the PsychologyToday article.
Sara C Owczarczak-Garstecka Research Page.
THE RESEARCH ARTICLE BY SARA C OWCZARCZAK.
Here is a general summary of these data.
- No significant differences in bite severity were observed between contexts.
- Male victims were more numerous across all bite contexts.
- Only the age of the victim was predictive of bite severity: adults were bitten more severely than infants and infants more severely than children.
- Children and infants were considerably more common victims than adults. Most bites were to the limbs, followed by bites to the face and neck area. Bites to the face and neck area were more common among children and infants, which is also consistent with earlier reports.1,10,11,27 (Numbers refer to references in the essay.)
- Non-neutral dog body posture and some displacement and appeasement behaviors increased approximately 20 seconds before the bite and humans made more tactile contact with dogs 21 seconds before the bite.
- From nine seconds before the bite, more codes for movement away from the dog were noted.
- Bites during play and benign interactions were particularly common, as reported before.10,14,16,18,24,50 (Numbers refer to references in the essay).
- Standing over a dog, petting, and restraining a dog were seen proportionally more frequently closer to the bite, increasing approximately 20–30 seconds before.
BOOKS
Dog Bites: A Multidisciplinary Perspective
The issue of dog bites and dog aggression directed at humans is frequently in the media. However, scientific research and evidence on the subject is scattered and sparse. Public and political opinions are often misinformed and out of proportion to the extent of the problem. Dog Bites brings together expert knowledge of the current situation, from a wide variety of disciplines, to provide information to the many people and professions affected by this issue. Subjects range from the practical, medical, behavioural, sociological, and theoretical, but the overall approach of the book is objective and integrative. Topics addressed include: the genetic basis of aggression; the public image of aggressive dogs; bite statistics; risk factors; the forensics and surgical aspects of dog bites; international legal perspectives; court evidence; first aid treatment; zoonotic disease potential; behavioural rehabilitation options; the risk to children; and a consideration of why some dogs kill. All contributors are academic or long-standing professional experts in their field, and they represent a wide spread of international expertise. This issue is an important one for pet owners, vets, animal shelters, and anyone who works with dogs, such as the police. This book will be a valuable resource for them, as well as for animal behaviourists, academic researchers, health professionals, dog breeders, and handlers. *** “… the first comprehensive resource on the subject of dog bites… The overall intent of the book is to prevent dog bites. …does a good job of compiling the information we think we know about dog bites into one place. It also debunks much of what were previously accepted truths about dog bites to humans. In the final chapter, the editors state they hope that ‘highlighting the many deficiencies in our understanding will inspire rather than demoralize’ and that they ‘have offered a point of reference not just to the problems but also the solutions'”. —Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Vol. 252, No. 6, March 15, 2018 [Subject: Veterinary Science, Public Policy, Animal Behavior, Animal Policing]