Covid and cost of living produced best storm for increased dog bites

The coronavirus lockdown and the existing cost of living crisis has actually produced a ‘perfect storm’ for poor puppy behaviour which might have caused a boost in dog bites.

The most recent authorities figures reveal there was a 34% boost in dog attacks reported in England and Wales in the in 2015 – while Royal Mail says there has actually been a 15% boost in attacks on postal employees.

Recent high profile cases consist of great-grandmother Lucille Downer who was whipped by 2 dogs in her own garden, and the death of 10-year-old Jack Lis.

But as dog bites and assaults receive more limelights, dog behaviour professionals think both the coronavirus lockdowns and the cost of living crisis might be playing their part, with dog owners less economically able to repair their animals’ behavioural problems.

Bonnie Brincat is a medical animal behaviourist based in London who runs Pets Explained, an animal behaviour practice.

She said breed isn’t a crucial aspect when it concerns revealing aggressiveness – and smaller sized types acting in the very same method as larger, more powerful ones are typically passed off as ‘funny’ or ‘cute’.

Bonnie explained: ‘As larger and stronger breeds are capable of causing more serious injury, these incidents are more likely to be recorded in hospital statistics.

‘We hear much less about smaller dogs behaving the same way – videos of which are often mistakenly shared on social media.

‘Many dogs involved in recent UK fatalities are described as an “XL Bully”. Despite this, the XL Bully is not recognised or accepted by the UK or American Kennel Clubs as a standalone breed, nor is it mentioned in any research.

‘This label may be used where such dogs don’t fit any breed description, who in reality might merely be mixed-breed.’

She explained the increase in UK dog bite reports as ‘worrying’ and said veterinarians are seeing more dogs with behaviour issues.

Bonnie said: ‘This suggests something is harming our dogs’ psychological health, which guide their actions.

‘The pandemic and cost of living crisis could have whipped up a perfect storm for our pets’ behaviour, with owners having less tools at their disposal to nip issues in the bud.

‘So called “pandemic pups” may have been unprepared to adjust to normality after growing up in lockdown, and vets are reporting more owners delaying or unable to afford treatment than in previous years.

‘Despite seeing more fearful behaviour, fewer than one in 10 owners report using a trainer or behaviourist in the last year, though over four times as many use a groomer.

‘If more of today’s dogs require behavioural help, however owners are less able to invest in expert guidance, relatively little issues that are left unsettled might be growing out of control towards bites.’

Ingrid Haskal is a dog behaviourist and committee member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors.

She concurred that the coronavirus lockdown caused more inadequately trained dogs, due to newbie dog owners embracing puppies and not having the ability to participate in training classes with them.

Ingrid explained: ‘Dog ownership went up a lot during Covid – often people were buying dogs on a whim, and I even overheard someone say they were getting a dog because their kids were bored.

‘It’s an easy formula – if there are more dogs, you’re going to have more bites, it’s simply pure mathematics.

‘So a lot of people got dogs without understanding the implications, and due to the restrictions a lot of dogs weren’t hung out which indicated they possibly established a worry of unusual individuals.

‘Most aggression is based on fear – a dog biting a postie sees something strange coming through the letterbox and thinks “what’s going on, something’s attacking my home”.

‘Most people don’t have correct understanding of a dog’s body movement. Quite typically, if you understand what to try to find, you can see the dog signalling it’s dissatisfied method prior to a bite happens.

‘If a dog learns no matter what it does, nobody’s listening, its last effort is a bit and everyone listens to a bite.’

But what’s the option to severely acted pups, and how could the threat of dog bites be lowered?

Bonnie said: ‘Making sure owners have access to reputable advice and help putting it into action may be the key to reducing bite rates.

‘Vets can refer dogs to an accredited behaviourist – whose fees can often be claimed back on pet insurance to reduce costs.

‘If a pet doesn’t have insurance coverage, many big UK rehoming charities provide totally free, trustworthy phone or email guidance on dog behaviour and training.’

Ingrid included dog owners need to make sure the dog behaviourist they utilize belongs to the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors or another regulative body – and lots of now provide sessions from another location if there isn’t anybody certified in your location.

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