There is no simple answer as to why dogs attack people, particularly their owner or a family member.
BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) has not eliminated or reduced attacks, in fact they are increasing.
Yet dogs do not have malicious intent, something else triggers it – fear, pain, stress, brain trauma, tumour or resource guarding.
There are usually underlying triggers, resource guarding can include food, water, toys and even a particular area or space.
Dogs will display body language to communicate, which is unfortunately often missed or ignored.
Children are the most common victims and should always be supervised around a dog.
Also, not all dogs see children as little people, they look, behave, sound and smell different to adults.
Aggression is a learned behaviour, either the dog has learned by itself that displays work or has it been punished for showing some aggression which makes it worse by increasing fear and anxiety.
Some owners encourage aggressive displays.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimate 100,000 dog attacks occur annually.
If reforms to dog breeding and ownership are not legislated, Australia will likely follow the path of the USA where the Centre for Disease Control counted 71 deaths and around five million dog bites in 2024.
Dog attacks in Australia outnumber snake and shark bites combined.
It is logical that larger dogs can cause more damage than small dogs, yet they all need training.
There are far too many unwanted dogs and numbers are growing.
Unspayed dogs are influenced and affected by hormones which can lead to increased aggression.
Some people think it is cruel, unnatural to desex, but domesticated dogs can produce up to 28 puppies per year, which is a huge problem.
Wolves and wild dogs (where domestic dogs originated) give birth once a year and have small litters: that is natural.
Early socialisation and training is the best antidote to aggression.
Also breeding for appearance only often means character and temperament is overlooked.
All 27 EU member states either have or are working towards a framework to regulate breeders and allow for inspection and non-compliant kennels can be immediately shut down.
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