A substantial number said they would snuggle or stroke a concerned dog, despite the fact that it increases the danger of being bitten. Most dog bites occur in the family home with a familiar dog.
Prof Claire Parkinson, the co-director of Edge Hill’s centre for human animal research studies, said: “The data highlights people’s inclination to perceive dogs as inherently gentle or humanised.
“However, the reality is that dogs, even well-trained ones, can pose a risk, particularly around children who haven’t been taught how to interact with them. Many seem to think dogs will respond differently to children. But of course, dogs don’t discriminate.
“People also really overestimate their ability to read a dog’s body language, and struggle to interpret more subtle signs of stress and discomfort.
“We know that dogs seldomly act aggressively without warning, but a lot of responders failed to spot those warning signs, and actually had the potential to escalate the dogs’ distress.”
The variety of dog attacks taped by cops in England and Wales has actually increased by more than a 3rd in the previous 5 years, from 16,000 to 22,000 in 2022, costing the NHS more than £70 million a year.
Spate of deadly dog attacks
There have actually been numerous deadly dog attacks already this year. In January, Natasha Johnson was mauled to death as she strolled a pack of dogs in Caterham, Surrey.
The following month, Alice Stones, 4, was killed by a family animal in Milton Keynes.
In May, Jonathan Hogg, 37, suffered deadly bite injuries from a dog attack in Leigh, Greater Manchester.
Last week, a 70-year-old granny was killed by a dog in Bedworth, Warwickshire as she sunbathed.
The variety of dogs gotten rid of from their owners likewise increased by 26 percent considering that 2018, with 3,500 animals taken by cops in 2015, and there has actually been a 24 percent increase in animal desertion.
Experts said that the pandemic was partly behind the boost due to the fact that puppies purchased in lockdown were not hung out around individuals or other dogs.
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, pitbull terriers, Japanese tosas, dogo Argentinos and fila Brasilerios are prohibited. However, specialists said the focus needs to be put on legislating versus bad owners, not dog types.
Calls to restore dog licences
The group at Edge Hill has actually gotten in touch with the Government to restore dog licences, which were ditched in 1982, along with more neighborhood training.
Prof Parkinson said: “We are in the middle of a companion dog crisis. There were 3.2 million puppies born during the pandemic, and people couldn’t access trainers and behaviourists. So it certainly had a huge impact and we are seeing the results of that now.
“Dog attacks are rising despite dangerous dogs legislation which has focussed on breed, even though it is a very poor predictor of aggressiveness. We need to shift the focus from the breed to the owner, and increase awareness of dog bite risk.
“A public information campaign and improved access to dog training would definitely help to address some of the current issues.”
The research study will exist at an occasion in Edge Hill, Public Perceptions of Dangerous Dogs and Dog Risk, on June 12.
