Common Causes of Dog Attacks

Understanding Why Most Dog Attacks Occur

Not every dog attack is the same. While there are often similarities, the circumstances frequently change—the dog’s breed, temperament, and surroundings all factor in. One minor difference can be the catalyst for a devastating dog bite attack. Furthermore, the actions of the people around the dog often set the tone for the remainder of the encounter. In many cases, the dog owner does not act responsibly, becoming liable for the actions that happen next.

Below, we will review some common causes of dog bite attacks.

Feral Dogs

It’s not as common as it once was, but stray dogs attack people. This especially remains the case for hungry or wounded animals. The majority of these attacks happen against children. Furthermore, such attacks are often unprovoked.

Inherently Dangerous Breeds?

Not every dog attacks due to its breed. Usually, it is due to a combination of poor (or intentional) training and its breed. However, certain breeds geared towards hunting or fighting, such as the Rottweiler, Pit Bull, and Rat Terrier, are far more likely to be involved in attacks.

Professional Protection or Attack Training

This is often the most significant factor in determining if a dog will bite. Poor handling or training by dog owners leads dogs to react in a way that causes injuries to another. Aggressive owners may train dogs to attack. In other cases, dogs are not disciplined for their poor actions. Furthermore, dogs that have attacked before must be disciplined sharply to prevent a future attack.

Dogs that get away with attacking people are much more likely to do so again. Dogs that are not socialized enough around people are often more likely to attack. Furthermore, dogs allowed to roam freely are much more likely to get into trouble with other dogs or people.

Understanding the Warning Signs

And, of course, not all dogs react the same way. Dogs that never attacked another person or canine might bite. Consult your legal counsel to determine the liability of responsibility after an attack.