Dogs might be called ‘man’s best friend’, but a shocking incident has highlighted how even the cutest pooch can prove dangerous in the right circumstances.
Earlier this month, Jamie–Lea Biscoe, 19, was fatally bitten in the neck by Shy, a seven–year–old blue–merle lurcher, at home in Leaden Roding, Essex.
The teen’s father, Jack Biscoe, 37, found his daughter collapsed on the floor in his bedroom at around 10.45pm.
Police rushed to the scene where Jamie–Lea was pronounced dead, before Shy – described as the ‘softest’ pet and Jamie–Lea’s ‘best friend’ – and her puppies were seized by officers.
Now, scientists from the University of Lincoln have uncovered the three key factors that drive pets to turn on their owners.
And surprisingly, they say it has nothing to do with the breed.
Instead, researchers claim that the owner, the environment, and the dog’s individual history are the biggest warning signs to watch out for.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, co–author Dr Ann Baslington–Davies said: ‘The owner controls most of the dog’s environment and, therefore, far more emphasis should be given to the owner’s behaviour and the way in which they interact with and manage the dog.’
Jamie–Lea Biscoe, 19, was fatally bitten in the neck by Shy, a seven–year–old blue–merle lurcher, at home in Leaden Roding, Essex, on Friday evening
Dog experts have identified the three most important factors that determine whether a dog will turn on its owners: The dog’s history, the owner, and the environment. They say harsh training, like using an electric shock collar (pictured), is a much bigger factor than breed
For the study, scientists from the University of Lincoln interviewed over 180 dog experts, professional trainers, and dog behavioural scientists.
Their answers revealed 18 unique risk factors that influence how likely a dog is to attack, grouped under the three key areas.
These include issues such as the owner’s training style, whether the dog has been socialised, and health or medical issues.
However, common explanations for dog attacks, such as breed, age, sex, or whether the dog was neutered, aren’t considered important risk factors by the professionals.
Instead of looking at supposedly aggressive breeds, the researchers found that dog experts place the factors that can make a dog bite under three broad categories: the owner, the environment, and the dog.
Out of those three groups, the ones which most experts agreed are important to ‘human–directed dog aggression’ (HDDA) are those related to the owner and how the dog is kept.
Most significantly, 94.1 per cent of all dog experts say that bad training is likely to increase the risk of HDDA.
Specifically, the experts warned against so–called ‘aversive’ training methods, which make use of physical punishment, dominance, and fear.
Researchers say that the owner themself is responsible for many factors that can turn a dog aggressive, such as their training and management of the dog
Dr Baslington–Davies says: ‘Many aversive training methods seek to suppress an unwanted behaviour with no thought given to what function that behaviour might serve for the dog, and no attempts made to give the dog a more acceptable outlet for that function.
‘This is likely to lead to frustration and consequently be a contributory factor to an aggressive response.’
Likewise, 98.95 per cent of experts felt that a good understanding of a dog’s body language and behaviour cut down on the likelihood of a bite.
On the other hand, almost three–quarters of participants specifically said that owners with a bad grasp of their pets’ behaviour were putting themselves at greater risk of an attack.
For example, one expert told the researchers that some owners had a ‘lack of awareness of (or disregard for) early stress signals’ while another mentioned that owners need to know how to ‘de–escalate’.
Meanwhile, the researchers also note that owners might be making the pets more likely to turn on them by keeping them in an unstable or stressful environment.
About a third of participants said that having a loud, chaotic home with frequently changing schedules or environments can produce enough stress to make a dog violent.
When dogs bite humans, it is often explained away as the consequence of an aggressive breed.
This comes after Jamie–Lea Biscoe, 19, was fatally bitten in the neck by Shy, her ‘soft’ seven–year–old blue–merle Lurcher
Breeds such as Rottweilers, American bulldogs, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are generally seen as more aggressive or more likely to bite.
However, the experts don’t believe that this is the case.
In the study, the experts were given open–ended questions and asked to describe the factors they thought made a dog more or less likely to bite.
Only 52 per cent thought a dog’s temperament or genes is a possible risk factor for HDDA, and only 18 people mentioned ‘genetics’ or ‘genetic disposition’ specifically.
Where breed was mentioned as a risk, the experts were more worried about specific traits, such as guarding behaviour or a high prey drive, rather than any specific breed.
This backs up the fact that no robust research has ever shown that any particular breed is inherently more aggressive than any other.
‘Our survey of professionals noted that dogs need appropriate breed–specific outlets for behaviour to avoid the dog becoming frustrated, but not that any one breed is more likely to be aggressive than another,’ says Dr Baslington–Davies.
‘There is no credible scientific evidence to support the notion that aggression is based purely in breed.’
While some breeds, such as Rottweilers, are branded as ‘aggressive’, there is no evidence to suggest that breed determines aggression. Upbringing and the owners’ actions play a much more important role
But this doesn’t mean the dog isn’t a factor that needs to be considered if you’re worried whether a pet might turn aggressive.
A much more important factor than breed is whether the dog is happy, healthy, and appropriately looked after, as well as how they were brought up.
Dr Baslington Davies says: ‘In common with many animals – including people – dogs have a sensitive period of development, where the experiences they have will impact their future behaviour.
‘A dog that is born in a shed with minimal exposure to the outside world, people, or a home environment is likely to be fearful of those things when he finally does encounter them and that can pave the way for aggressive responses in the future, born out of fear.’
The overwhelming majority of experts agree that a dog having unmet needs makes it much more dangerous.
This could include extremely basic needs such as food or shelter but can also include problems like a lack of mental and physical stimulation.
Likewise, over two–thirds of experts told the researchers they believe that pain, discomfort, or illness would make HDDA more likely.
Any condition which causes pain, physical discomfort, mobility issues, itchiness, or nausea can make a dog more irritable and likely to bite.
Join the discussion
Should dog owners be held responsible when their pets attack, even if the dog was always seen as gentle?
Likewise, neurological conditions such as epilepsy can cause a dog to turn aggressive after a seizure, according to vets at Southfields Veterinary Specialists.
‘A very small number of dogs might become aggressive after a seizure,’ they explain on their website.
‘If your dog is aggressive after his/her seizures: STAY AWAY! Make sure they are in a safe room/area and give them space until they are fully recovered.’
