July 29, 2004

New dog ordinance is now in effect

Proactive pet measures may prevent costly headaches later

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

This year, man’s best friend will bite an estimated 4.7 million people nationwide, and 60 percent of the victims will be children—a growing problem among pet owners who decide to welcome a canine companion into the family. In San Jose, the cost of admission just went up.

The new dog ordinance that went into effect on July 15 brings stiffer penalties for aggressive dogs and their owners, including fines, confinement, and pricey insurance policy riders for dogs deemed dangerous or vicious. In some cases, the owner may even be ordered to destroy their dog.

Unlike electrical appliances, pillows, plastic bags, and toys, dogs—whose bites comprise the second largest cause of childhood emergency room injuries—don’t come with warnings.

According to a 1998 study by the Journal of the American Medical Association on nine dangerous childhood activities, 333,687 dog bite cases ranked second only to baseball and softball injuries and well above playground accidents, results that indicate a need to teach pet owners how to prevent aggressive dog behavior and to educate the public on how to avoid becoming dog bite victims.

However, the most worrisome condemnation might come attached to the “scarlet letter,” a mandatory tag that forever labels the dog a menace. It’s a recipe for disaster, says trainer Terrell Otis, as it could insight fear in people and rouse unpredictable behavior in the dog.

“It’s a bad idea,” says Otis, who has spent the past 10 years with Animal Behavior and Training Associates [ABTA], teaching obedience to private clients and at local Petco stores. “People will fear the dog when they see the tag. If it senses fear, it will react with aggression.”

While all dogs are capable of biting when frightened or protecting their puppies or territory, disaster can be prevented if owners understand the early warning signs and take measures to correct them.

“Any dog, regardless of breed, is only as dangerous as his or her owner allows it to be,” says Otis.

Additionally, the Center for Disease Control [CDC] recommends school-based educational programs on bite prevention and canine behavior, and educational programs regarding responsible dog selection, ownership, and training in an effort to battle the escalating problem from all fronts.

“People need to teach their children how to behave with a dog, and teach their dog how to behave with children,” Otis says. “Some things are cute when they’re puppies, but as the animal grows, bad habits become obnoxious.”

The insurance dilemma
Dog bites now account for nearly 25 percent of homeowner insurance liability claims—at an annual payout of nearly $345.5 million. Many insurers have decided to limit their exposure.

Some have no-tolerance policies, including Farmers Insurance Group, which won’t cover anyone with dog bite claims during the past three years, even if they no longer own the pet. Others, such as Mercury Casualty Company, offer discounts to dogless families.

Some have breed-exclusive policies, making it wise to check with your provider before bringing a new puppy home, or risk choosing between your dog and your homeowner policy.

“We don’t want to foster unsafe situations, therefore we do have a list of dogs that we will not accept as part of the homeowner policy,” says Roger Hassler, with Allstate Insurance at Meridian and Redmond. “That includes the akita, boxer, chow, doberman, pit bull or Statfordshire terrier, presa canariom, rottweiler, and wolf hybrids. The purpose is to maintain a safe and secure community. To be fair to the cat lovers, we don’t want tigers and lions either.”

According to office manager Kim Pifer with State Farm Insurance on Almaden Expressway, policies are written on a case-by-case basis. While she says they don’t discriminate by breed, she admits that they would probably
deny coverage in certain cases.

“First, we ask if they have any dogs, and then what kind,” she says. “If it’s ever bitten anyone, we note that on the policy. I can’t see us automatically canceling their insurance because of that, especially with a longterm customer. But, if they’ve got a pit bull and it’s bitten someone, it does raise a red flag and we would probably deny coverage.”

Even an overly friendly dog that jumps up and knocks someone down can be costly to both its owner and the insurance company. With San Jose leash laws in effect, owners may be liable for all costs incurred from an injury accident caused by a loose dog running in front of a car. If prior offenses have been reported, they may be ordered to pay punitive damages, which are not covered under personal liability umbrella policies—food for thought when thinking about how to avoid these costly situations in the first place.
Starting out on the right “paw”

After deciding to bring a dog into the family, experts recommend consulting with veterinarians, behaviorists, or breeders when choosing a compatible breed for your environment and lifestyle. Contrary to popular belief, as dog attacks are more likely related to hormones, age, territory, or restraints. Veterinarians note that smaller dogs are more prone to fear-aggression and unpredictable biting behavior. Even attacks by dachshunds and Yorkshire terriers have resulted in deaths among children.

“They can be cute but they still bite,” warns Otis. “Little dogs instigate just as many problems as large dogs—they are not limited by their size. The point is to build a rapport with the animal.”

Appropriate socialization and training during the first few months of a puppy’s life remains the single best defense. Without early exposure to a variety of people, environments, and other animals, any dog can develop unwarranted fear and trust issues that lead to biting and aggressive behavior as they mature.

According to Otis, jumping, barking, housebreaking, digging, forging [pulling on the leash], and not coming when called are common behavioral problems that can often be traced back to the owner.

“If a dog is willing to lay down his life to protect you, he’ll surely sit down and stay,” he says. “Dogs respond to effective leadership. If the leader falls apart, the troops fall apart.”

Although they learn from both good and bad experiences, positive reinforcement strategies produce better results. The Humane Society Silicon Valley warns that punishment alone, including striking and yelling at a pet could also lead to fear and aggression, and fails to teach the dog what it should be doing instead.

“Punishing never helps,” says Otis. “It only let the dog know what not to do but doesn’t show them the correct behavior. Dogs are pragmatic creatures and will do what they are rewarded for.

Dominant behavior, including refusal to obey, growling, nipping, or unprovoked attacks on other animals are early warning signs that can, in most cases be eliminated with the help of a professional trainer.

As evident in the nearly 40.6 million U.S. households that consider canine companions part of the family, dogs have proven over the years to enrich and enhance their quality of life. But along with it comes the responsibility of pet owners to practice smart oversight and teach their dogs good behavior through obedience—much like they would their own children.

“Dogs are very mental and motivational,” adds Otis. “The key ingredient is love. It’s something you can’t run out of and they don’t tire of. Along with patience and consistency, it makes for a beautiful relationship.”

For more information and advice on preventative animal behavior training, Terrell Otis, with Animal Behavior and Training Associates can be reached at (408) 448-3544

Otis also recommends the following reading when selecting a suitable companion: “Which Dog For Me” or “Choosing a Dog for Life” by Andrew DePrisco and James B. Johnson; “The Perfect Match” by Chris Walkowicz.

Additional dog behavior tips can be found on the Humane Society Silicon Valley Web site at http://www.hssv.org/BEHAVIOR/dog.htm.