Customs Patrol Dog Attacks Child

[casey]

Originally Posted by relentless

Dogs can smell fear. Yes, fear has a scent. I worked for several years to turn around a pit I had adopted. The dog was raised wrong and wasn't socialized with other dogs. I didn't trust my dog around anyone. It sounds like the little girl may have startled the dog.

I have no idea what that means.

We have both Belgian Malinois and German Shepards. All are "patrol" read - not "attack" trained. Only after completing 14 weeks of daily discipline, track, and bite training with their handler can they even start the 10 week scent (explosives or drug) course. After this 24 week period, handlers are expected to conduct training of some sort on a daily basis to keep play drive up and recert every 3-4 months.

I could care less what the dogs smells - when hes (we only use males) properly trained and working, he reacts only as an extention and or tool of the handler. Problem or hyper dogs fail the training early on. When a dog completes training, it is the handlers action or inactions that are usually the common denominator to almost all the negative bites I've seen. If the basic discipline commands are not re-enforced regularly, the dog reverts to a teen ager with a 3 second attention span and usually acts out or fails to heel and or recall.

This is why we demand that all handlers in training take hits off every dog in the class on a rotating bi-weekly basis, during recerts, and on "cherry days". The handlers need to understand the end result of releasing such a tool and more importantly, the feeling of being on the other end of a 70lb Belgian Malinois or 85lb German Shepards running full speed at you and locking into your arm (hopefully). It then becomes so ever important that the handler of said growling fur and teeth locked on your sleeve/arm, be able to recall his partner on command - as we never get angry at the dog.

Don't know if this was the case here - but I cannot think of one good reason to have any bite trained dog (on or off lead) at an airport, there are just too many liabilities for almost zero return.

[Ryanr]

Originally Posted by AngelsSix

I have to disagree, this may not be the case at all.

I have no idea what caused the attack -- I'm just saying that the kid would have been very justified in feeling afraid. (In response to the guy that said 'dogs smell fear.')

And what of it of the kid did something stupid? A dog meant to be around throngs of people will surely encounter plenty of similar situations, and that's not an appropriate response.

[The Reaper]

I like the beagles for sniffing.

Great noses, very non-threatening.

TR

[hoot72]

I always believe dogs, trained or untrained will sometimes respond in an aggressive manner without logic.

Example: I have a couple of rottweilers. The female, good as gold and wonderful with kids since we got her. She's now 6 but a year ago, whilst chit chatting with a family friend, my dog went for the face of my neighbour's daughter who was staring at the rottie and maybe, prompted a "dare" to the rott.

Some dogs hate being started at...maybe they think its a challenge...I was lucky. I had her harness on and managed to yank her before she made contact with the child's face and saved myself and the child a hell of a lot of agony...

But..boy..it was mouth open and fangs exposed...going straight for the little girl's face..

You just never know sometimes with aggressive dogs. Trained or not.

Especially when kids are around.

[hoot72]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

I like the beagles for sniffing.

Great noses, very non-threatening.

TR

Just got one myself...wonderful dog to have around the home..and a great pet for the family...

[Bill Harsey]

I'm pretty cold hearted when it comes to something like this.

After biting the little girl that dog should have been taken out of public sight and put down. No excuses, reasoning or bs. just finish it.