2ANONYMOUS
Well-Known Member
The Truth about Dogs with Bite Histories It’s a something that most dog owners have in the back of their minds – the horror of finding out, either first or secondhand, that your dog has bitten someone. In some cases you know that it is a possibility, in other cases you’re completely stunned that your dog could do something like this. While you’re reeling from the information, trying to decide what to do, here are some things to consider. 1) How bad was the bite? Dr. Ian Dunbar, a veterinarian and respected dog trainer, grades bites on a level of 1-6: 1. Did the bite leave no evidence of damage? 2. Teeth made contact, but no pressure was used. 3. One to three punctures in a single bite, none deeper than ½ the length of a canine tooth. 4. One to four punctures, with at least one puncture deeper than ½ the length of a canine tooth. This means that the dog grabbed and shook what was in its mouth. 5. Multiple Level 4 bites. 6. Death. Know that dogs don’t “accidentally” bite. Puppies spend so much of their time playing, chewing, and putting things in their mouth so that they can learn the extent of their jaw’s capabilities and strengths. If a dog puts teeth on you, but didn’t actually bite down, it is exactly what he meant to do. If a dog leaves a puncture wound, it wasn’t an accident, she put as much pressure into the bite as she thought she needed to. A dog that issues a Level 1-3 bite is usually considered a good candidate for rehabilitation. Dogs with a history of bites that are Level 4 and higher are considered to be a much greater risk and not as likely to be safely rehabilitated. 2) What provoked the bite? If you know your dog is tense or fearful or protective in certain situations, and the dog was in one of the situations when he bit, you know what probably provoked him. Not all bites are obviously provoked, but many dogs give clear warnings before they bite that we humans never bother to see. 3) What was the dog’s reaction after the bite? Did the dog bite and go back to sleep, did she bite and then run away, did she bite once and prepare to bite again? 4) Is this a dog that you still want in your home? If you no longer want the dog in your home, what reason would someone else have for taking this dog into their home? 5) In many states, including Wisconsin and Illinois, a dog must be quarantined for 10 days after issuing a bite that is recorded. During that time, the dog cannot be sold, given, returned or otherwise be placed into someone else’s ownership. If proof of current rabies vaccination can be shown, the dog might be able to be quarantined at the home. If no current vaccination can be proved, the dog will need to be kenneled at a humane society, vet’s office, or other place as determined by local laws. Any kenneling fees are the responsibility of the dog’s owner. It is becoming increasingly common for dogs with bite histories to cause companies to cancel insurance policies. Some municipalities will register dogs with bite histories as “dangerous dogs” and will impose restrictions on the dog’s owner. Also keep in mind that some state laws may hold you liable for any further bites that the dog may issue if you rehome the dog, either before or after the required 10 day holding period is up. If it can be proved that you knew the dog is a bite risk, even if you chose not to disclose the fact to a new owner, you can still be held accountable. If you would like to keep your dog in your family, you need to take measures to make sure that the dog is unlikely to bite again. Identify what provoked the bite and what can be done to manage it. This might include crating otherwise confining the dog in a room away from guests, employing muzzles, keeping the dog leashed and under the control of a responsible adult at all times, not allowing the dog in the yard unsupervised, working closely with a behaviorist or experienced trainer, or other management techniques that are deemed appropriate for the situation. You and your family must carefully consider whether these management techniques are possible and if so, will they be in place 100% of the time. Working with a trainer is a must in dog bite cases.
