| Any person who owns a dog is potentially liable for | | | | attacks involved a new person or a new dog in the |
| damages if their dog bites another person. Your | | | | same household for two months or less. (new |
| homeowners liability or business owners liability | | | | husband, new wife, new step-kids, new girlfriend |
| insurance will defend you from lawsuits attributable to | | | | boyfriend, new baby) |
| dog bites in some cases. | | | | 2. Gender of the dog. Un-neutered male dogs are the |
| If you have a dog that has already bitten or injured | | | | most dangerous of all. But any male dog is far more |
| another person or animal, your insurance company | | | | dangerous than a female dog. |
| may exclude coverage for subsequent incidents. I've | | | | 3. Breed. The Pit Bull, Chow, Akita and Rottweiler |
| even seen insurers cancel or refuse to renew | | | | breeds are the most dangerous. Pitt Bulls have the |
| policyholders with dangerous dogs. | | | | most fatal attacks of any breed. |
| This follows the old "First-Bite Rule." That means that | | | | 4. The Pack. The more dogs in the pack, the greater |
| if your dog has never caused injury before, you as | | | | the danger of attack. Dogs that are normally calm |
| the owner are not deemed to be the owner of a | | | | and docile can become violent when they are in a |
| dangerous dog. However, after the first bite, you | | | | pack. The pack mentality is strong in dogs. Statistics |
| can't say that anymore. | | | | show that 39% of the dog attacks in 2008 were by |
| But what if you don't own a dog? You must know | | | | multiple dogs. |
| the common sense issues about dogs and how they | | | | 5. Dog is his own yard, with no owner present. Dogs |
| behave. That is crucial whether you own a dog or | | | | are protective and territorial. Don't go in his yard. |
| not. | | | | Warn your children of the danger of going into a |
| So let me share with you six danger signs that should | | | | yard where a dog...or multiple dogs...are alone. |
| warn you that a dog attack may be about to occur. | | | | 6. Dog on a tether or chain. Chaining up a dog is |
| If you commit these to memory, you will have a | | | | cruelty, and over time, it changes the dog's |
| better chance of protecting yourself and your | | | | personality. Chained dogs committed 9% of fatal |
| children. | | | | attacks in 2008. |
| 1. A new dog in the house. New adult dogs can be | | | | Any one of these factors alone is a danger signal. |
| dangerous for the first 60 days or so. In the same | | | | The more factors that exist at the same time, the |
| manner, a person who is new to a household where | | | | higher the danger of a dog attack. All of the factors |
| a dog lives is in danger of attack for about the first | | | | should be avoided at all costs. |
| 60 days. Statistics show that 20% of fatal dog | | | | |