Every so often I like to bring to people's attention this worrisome issue concerning responsible dog ownership, particularly when deals with a large powerful breed... like the great Rottweiler.
I replied to a thread posted in the Chit Chat Section, concerning irresponsible dog ownership, and I think it may go overlooked if I don't posted here in the General Section. People need to know. We all need to refresh our memories.
The following is my reply, slightly modified. Please, I beg you to read it carefully:
The fact is that the vast majority of dog bites come from UNTRAINED dogs and, in some cases, badly trained dogs. Scary enough, these are signs of a growing epidemic. According to a report released by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, dog attacks eclipse measles, mumps, and whooping cough, all combined, as a health threat to children!!!
The number of dog bites that caused people to seek medical care increased from 585,000 in 1986 to more than 800,000 in 1994!
It is firmly believed that the increase of these unjustified dog attacks are due, in part, to the growing popularity of dogs that people buy to protect and guard them against violent crime. Some of these popular breeds are the German Shepherd Dog, the Doberman Pinscher, the Akita, the "pitbull", the Bullmastiff, and so forth. Sadly enough, for that same reason, the Rottweiler breed went from a 15th place in 1986, to the second most owned dog in the American Kennel Club's registry of breeds.
A reason given from many people was (and still is) they were looking for a "security" dog, as in all it takes is to feed the dog and "let him guard"! Fortunately, the Rottweiler is decreasing in popularity... Sadly, is due its negative image. Hence, realize that people are afraid of our dogs!
As you can see, most people got (and still get) Rottweilers for all the wrong reasons. Many people relies heavily on the Rottweiler's guarding instinct, a known heritage of the breed.
The problem is, they don't consider, neither they assume, the moral and legal liabilities arise from such decision! FACT: few dog owners were (and are) committed to properly raise and train a powerful dog like the Rottweiler
According to the same above mentioned study, between 1979 and 1996 Rottweilers were responsible for 29 fatal attacks (it is currently up to 35), second only to "pitbulls", which accounted for 60 (up to 71).
I have to point out again, the problem isn't so much the dogs, as it is the ignorant people who got to have this "big, mean, powerful dog", who can only be nice to them! You know, the kinds of people that raise and keep "junkyard guard dogs" in family settings and residential communities!
These imbecile irresponsible dog owners actually like it, and are proud of, when their dogs are aggressive to other people! Except them as owners or "masters", of course!
Obviously, if you carefully analyzed all of the stated above, our children are at higher risk of being attacked and bitten by dogs, because of their size (height & weight), ignorance and innocence about canine behavior (Here parents can help, but bear in mind this:
No child is a match for an overly aggressive or vicious dog! The child always lose! )
But it gets worse, according to the Insurance Information Institute, one-third of all liability claims on homeowner's insurance are for dog attacks!!! So nowadays is harder and harder to get homeowner's insurance if you own a Rottweiler (among a few other breeds)!
Indeed Rottweilers can be great family companion security dogs, but the problem is that a lot of people who buy them to deter crime don't have the dedication and/or the inclination to train them appropriately. Of course, things can go wrong when irresponsible people own a large powerful dog!!!
By the way, so you people know, according to the Insurance Information Institute
most dog attacks occur on the owners' property (70% of the times!)
I am sorry but I am sad and I am pissed-off! My beloved breed is branded as the “deadliest dog”, the “devil's dog”, “the mean mofo dog”, and so forth... *DEEP SIGH* What a tragedy irresponsible humans have created for the noble Rottweiler to pay with dire consequences.
IRRESPONSIBLE BREEDERS AND IRRESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERS ARE RUINING THE ROTTWEILER!