Edmonton Rottweiler Attacks

[rottielover2004]

The last paragraph says it all. One of the key recomendations that Michael Bryant's Ontario Liberals refused to consider despite opposition parties attempts to get it in when they pushed through Bill 132.

Rottweilers aren't vicious, Edmonton Humane Society says after two attacks

EDMONTON (CP) - They're large and powerful dogs, but that doesn't mean Rottweilers should be labelled a vicious or aggressive breed, says the Edmonton Humane Society.

The city has seen two attacks in as many weeks by Rottweilers, this week by a pair that smashed through the front window of a house to get at a poodle being walked across the street by two children.

"In every breed group there's going to be good examples of animals and bad examples of animals," said Melissa Boisvert, spokeswoman with the Edmonton Humane Society. "We don't support labeling any breed as good or bad."

Any dog is capable of attacking and the number of bites reported is far fewer than what actually occurs, she said.

With big and powerful breeds such as Rottweilers or pit bulls, an attack can be more serious and cause greater injury, Boisvert said, but it also gets more coverage and can lead to a public perception of the breeds being dangerous.

"A golden retriever attack, which does happen, is not usually as much news as a Rottweiler or a pit bull attack is because golden retrievers are perceived as nice dogs in general."

Crystal Klatt, an animal behaviourist with the Edmonton Humane Society, said it's rare that an animal lashes out without first having shown signs of aggressive behaviour. She said it's up to owners to recognize and deal with such signs.

"People have to realize they're dogs and they are going to act like an animal and it's our responsibility to make sure they're safe."

On Aug. 10, two Rottweiler-German shepherd crosses mauled a 10-year-old girl when she and three friends went into the backyard where the dogs live. One of the dogs tore into her scalp, ripping off her ear.

The dogs' owners have been charged, and the animals have been allowed to return home after a 10-day quarantine.

On Monday afternoon, two children were walking their poodle-terrier cross past a house when they saw a large Rottweiler inside banging its head against a window.

The dog shattered the window and it and another smaller Rottweiler attacked the poodle. A neighbour who heard screaming managed to separate the Rottweilers from the kids and their dog, and chased one of them out of the kids' home when it followed them inside.

The dogs were picked up from the city pound and their owner has been charged and fined for two counts of dogs running at large and one count of dog attack not causing injury. A charge of two counts of dog attack causing injury will require a court appearance.

The city's animal control officers are still pulling together their investigation and will forward their findings to city lawyers, who will decide what sanctions or restrictions to apply for in court.

David Aitken, director of Edmonton's complaints and investigations section, said there are grounds to consider a destruction order since the dogs have shown they can't be safely housed.



"They've demonstrated the ability to break through a window," Aitken said.

"It certainly warrants close review, if these animals can't be housed safely."

Aitken said the city recently went through a debate on banning certain breeds of dogs and decided to place restrictions on two types of pit bulls, including that they be kept indoors or secured if outdoors, and leashed and muzzled when off their property.

In Ontario, a ban comes into effect Monday that will make it illegal to breed pit bulls or bring the dogs into the province. Those already in Ontario will be allowed to stay on a restricted basis, provided they're sterilized and leashed and muzzled in public.

Dr. Louis Francescutti, an emergency room physician and director of the Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research, said doctors need to start reporting every dog bite they treat to the medical officer of health so people get a better idea of how many attacks actually occur every year.

He said better reporting would allow dog bites to be followed up to determine if an animal has rabies or if other people are at risk of aggressive behaviour.

"I don't think that we're seeing the true picture of dog bites that are out there," he said. "Occasionally we'll have the fatality or a serious injury that'll make it in the newspapers, but it's the other dog bites that are happening on an hourly basis that aren't reported that I think are the bigger problem

http://www.canada.com/news/national/...a-4a4052eeeca1

[rottielover2004]

I completely agree there are good dogs and bad dogs in every breed. Rottweilers included. I own one myself, and I say every dog has potential to bite, Precautions should be made, and OB classes a must. My Dog is the best, friendliest pup around, but do I trust him 100%. NO, that is what makes me a great owner. I know what to look for in dog posture, for many dogs, it is a simple Dominance problem that has never been errased from the dogs mind.
Not every person should own specific breeds, and it is up to the humane societies, and breeders to point that out to people. Pet shops never evaluate, they give any dog to any tom dick or harry. And unfortunetly, it is more seen in those dogs, the attacks. BYB and pet shop pups.
Until More people are willing to eduate themselves, and stop saying MY dog will never hurt a fly. There will always be attacks, and dog bites

[MartyL]

In every breed group there's going to be good examples of animals and bad examples of animals," said Melissa Boisvert, spokeswoman with the Edmonton Humane Society. "We don't support labeling any breed as good or bad."

I am so glad people, at least some people get it.

[StephanieandToby]

I find it interesting that the owners were charged with having their dogs "running at large" when they broke through a window. Who would think in a million years that a dog would break a window like that?I'd call it an ACCIDENT...perhaps the owners should house the dogs at the back of the house where they can't look out the window...but at the same time I believe they were responsible just by the fact that they had the dogs locked IN the house and not loose in a backyard or tethered.

[craftylady]

I have to agree with you....I would never think about my dog...or any that I have owned would break thru a window. I don't see how having the dog confined in your house could warrent a "running at large" charge if he escaped by breaking thru a window.....a pet door maybe. I wonder if parents get charged when thier kids sneak out at night thru a window? I do think the responsibility lies with the owner to keep his dogs secure but who would think leaving your dog in your home would not be secure?

[rottcrazed]

I know this is a little off topic, or more a side note, but I saw these dogs in numerous news reports over the past month.

They are calling them German Shepherd/Rott crosses, and no doubt there is Rott in there just based on their heads and physiques, but one is RED (like Boxer fawn coloring) and the other BRINDLE. Interesting as neither is marked in any way that I could see, no tan and I have yet to see a brindle GSD.

Just another media generalization ...

Kristi

[hillcrest]

I have raised 5 rottweilers and have had no problems with either of them around other dogs, children and meeting new people. They are loved and cared for and in turn reciprocate.

See pictures of my pets:

Rottweilers

Phyllis

[sarahd]

Just a side note here...the charges against the two supposed rotti/GSD dogs were dropped, however, the owners still chose to put their animals to sleep in order to allow the child to feel safe again in her neighbourhood. I feel awful for the owners as they had acted responsibly and it was not until this group of kids went into the backyard with out permission or supervision that any problem arose. Its yet another lesson that parents must teach their children to stay out of peoples backyards and that we are pet owners can not assume that just because the dogs are in the backyard with a gate that no one will go in there. Unfortunately its too late for this little girl and for the dogs.

I did hear as well that the two dogs who broke through the window were kept as "guard" dogs and we allowed to go for a few days between meals to keep them "mean". Now this is heresay but none the less I thought I would mention it as it may or may not have been a factor in the situation. I am just glad that the dogs focused their attention on the poodle and not the kids walking it!!

[MartyL]

What does GSD stand for? I keep seeing that in this forum but I have no clue what it means. Thank you.

[rottielover2004]

German shepherd dog = GSD

[Rotys2]

I agree with Hillcrest,I have two rotties myself they are great with family friends children and other dogs.
They do get excited when people come near our home,and I have taken steps
around my main window to make sure they can never get through it or out of my yard.
I believe the dog can only be as good as its owner if you are a reasponsible owner
and take the time it takes to train them and don't tolerate bad behaviour
from them or put them in situations you know have the potential to be dangerous to them or other people or other dogs then you are taking responsibilty for your dog in all aspects and you won't have these problems you hear about on the news.
Rotties are very protective of their family and where they live no doubt just like other breeds but again you want to own a powerfull breed of dog its your reasponsibility
to protect the dog and other people because just like a gun the gun is not dangerous
its the person in control of it.My Rotties are very smart and they can learn anything you want to teach them but instinctively they gard their space and I make sure they can't get out of that space without me on the end of the leash to control what happens to them or others thats my responsibility to them as their owner.
If you do stupid things make them mean by not feeding them ,or never take the time to trane them, or use them to gaurd your illegal activities or keep them couped up
you shouldn't ever own a dog nevermind a Rottie your the hazzard to society not the dog.Those kind of people should be screened before owning any pet period
Just like when you try to purchase a gun.They make it hard on the rest of us
who do love our animals and take responsibility for them.