Denial is a wonderful place to live – for those who can afford it. Most of us, however, can’t afford to live in denial too long. We recognize that a problem exists and take the steps necessary to correct it. Not so for a neighbor of a friend of mine.
My friend Bonnie was taking her evening walk in her neighborhood. Suddenly, out of nowhere and with no warning, she was hit from behind. A searing pain blossomed on her thigh, another on her back. She was knocked forward and almost to the ground. Screaming in fear and surprise, she quickly turned and confronted what had attacked her. A large, black, dog, a Labrador, was staring at her, growling, and approaching with teeth bared. Barking ferociously, the dog lunged.
Bonnie was screaming in terror, the commotion bringing both a neighbor, and the dog’s owner from their houses. The dog’s owner grabbed the dog, and asked Bonnie if she were bleeding. Bonnie, in shock, said no. The owner, without another word, took the dog inside the house. Another neighbor helped my friend home, shaking and completely bewildered as to what had happened.
Home, Bonnie found several deep puncture wounds on her thigh and back. The dog had lunged and bitten twice without warning. No barking, no growling, no, “get off my turf”. This dog attacked, not because he was defending what he viewed as his property (and Bonnie said she was actually walking in the street, not the green belt), but because he enjoyed being aggressive. His intent was not to scare the victim away, his intent was to draw blood.
What would have happened if the victim had been elderly, or a child? There is nothing frail about Bonnie. She is a fit, averaged sized woman in her forties. What would have happened had the dog succeeded in knocking her down?
I don’t want to know. But, having testified many times as an expert witness for the prosecution of people owning vicious dogs, I can guess. And it isn’t pretty. Dogs can and do inflict serious damage to people. The youngest and oldest members of our society being the most vulnerable The attacks on children and the elderly can result in disfigurement, mutilation, and death.
Where do these dogs come from? What causes a dog to want to hurt someone? The answers are varied, but one thing is certain. Aggressive behavior does not mysteriously appear overnight. Long before they take their first bite, a dog will show signs that a problem is growing. Dominant behavior, aggressive barking, growling at people, lunging, snapping, chasing. These are all indications that a dog is getting ready to go the next step – biting. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, please get help. Don’t wait until someone is injured and your dog is declared vicious. By then, it’s too late. Your dog is your responsibility. You are liable for his actions on every level. Do not live in denial. Take care of the problem. Get help.
