The Dangers Of Dog Attacks

Every once in a while I come across a prominent martial artist who states (and actually believes) he can defend himself from a sudden and vicious dog attack. After I get up from the floor (from laughing so hard) I ask him "you're not serious are you?" He usually indicates he is, obviously a real dog has never attacked him, or perhaps once out of his coma, he's forgotten how bad it was.I'm not talking about poodles or puppies; I'm talking about full-grown Rottweilers, pit bulls and Dobermans. If a policeman has to discharge an entire clip into a charging pit bull to stop one, do you think your kicks and punches can do the same? Wake up and smell the red meat, it could be yours!Anyway, once these guys find out I'm a professional dog trainer, they inevitably ask me to set up a match between them and a pit bull…and I won't do it. #1. because unless they have a gun they'll be maimed or torn apart and #2. Why subject an innocent dog to possible injury.

In any case I went to a Russian martial arts seminar a few weeks ago and as sure as rain, when the (famous Russian) instructor found out I was a professional dog trainer he asked me to arrange a match between himself and a pit-bull. It was at this time I realized, most people really don't understand how deadly a dog can be let alone a pack of dogs. They assume a few kicks will do the trick, when in fact that will only hasten their demise.This article is not about the ineffectiveness about using martial arts training against a wild dog; it is however my attempt to educate the general public about this issue; and dispel some myths which martial artists have about fighting a dog. Whether you are a martial artist or not, this information may save your life.First - If you ever come across any martial arts instructor who claims he can successfully defend himself from a serious dog attack, do yourself a favor and run for your life. This is a dangerous person and he is teaching dangerous concepts. The reality is, all you can do is to attempt to escape without too much damage.Although we love our pets, sometimes they can turn on us, quite often a neighbors cute and cuddly dog can suddenly attack and kill a child. It really shouldn't surprise us, after all dogs are animals, no matter how cute and cuddly they are. Hunting and fighting dogs especially have been bred for centuries to maintain aggressive traits. Don't think these traits disappear because you feed and pet them, and don't think a swift kick to the jaw will stop it.The FactsHealth officials say dogs bite or attack more than 4.5 million people each year, killing an average of 20 people in the United States alone. Look at the statistics; dogs around the world than kill more people than sharks. Depending on where you are in the world, many countries report anywhere from 10 to over 30 lethal dog attacks per year. Multiply this by over 190 countries and/or territories and you have a better appreciation of the problem.Not all dog attacks are lethal, but many are still serious enough to warrant emergency medical care. The following headlines (from 2001-2002) reflect a rising trend in lethal dog attacks."Stray dogs kill mother of five" Chukhotka, Russia"Woman devoured by dog, Moscow" Russia"Rottweiler kills 3-year-old, Chicago" USA"Rottweiler savages boy in street" Manchester, England"Pit Bull attacks German Shepard and owner" San Francisco, USA"Man killed by his Tosa fighting dogs, Ibaraki" Japan"Man fends off dog and is knife-attacked by its owner" Drachten, Holland"Baby girl mauled by Rottweiler" Chicago, USA"10-year-old girl attacked by police dog, Jacksonville" Florida"Hunting dogs kill disabled retiree" Kagoshima, JapanThe National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Humane Society of the United States recently updated data on fatal dog bites for the period 1989 to 1994.In a 6-year study published in the medical journal PEDIATRICS (Vol.97 No. 6, 891-5), Jeffrey J. Sacks, M.D. and associates reported the finding of 109 bite-related fatalities. They found that 57% of the deaths were in children under 10 years of age. 22% of the deaths involved an unrestrained dog OFF the owner's property. 18% of the deaths involved a restrained dog ON the owner's property, and 59% of the deaths involved an unrestrained dog ON the owner's property.The researchers also found that 10% of the dog bite attacks involved sleeping infants. The most commonly reported dog breeds involved were pit bulls (24 deaths), followed by rottweilers (16 deaths), and German shepherds (10 deaths). The authors point out that many breeds, however, are involved in the problem.It is also important to recognize that most of the over 50 million dogs in this country never bite or kill anyone. However, the problems caused by the highly visible minority of animals and their OWNERS have far-reaching consequences.