Rescued Dog Bites NBC Anchor

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

Anyone else read this article today?  Thoughts?  I read this article and I really felt for the rescued dog.  This is a dog that had experienced a traumatic event the day before and was immediately thrown into another unfamiliar situation.  Now the dog is being held in quarantine for 10 days.  Obviously noone deserves to be bitten but I think so many things were done wrong.  http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/cutline/rescued-dog-bites-nbc-anchor-fa...

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

I still am not convinced that the dog was trying to attack her.  My Bexter (although he is a pup) if he gets overly excited, he is known to still nip sometimes.  What if the dog was doing that?  Wouldn't that still cause damage?  Who wrote the article where it said that she had the reconstructive surgery?  I would think the media would maybe make it sound worse than it is (rather than downplay it) because it is their job to sell stories.  I would think the dog being quarantined is just protocol for that type of thing - obviously they would get some heat if that didn't happen considering it happened live with millions of viewers!  Also - think about how many people will watch now for her return - just out of curiosity to see what her face looks like...may help their ratings!  I know I sound cynical...Not defending the dog, but he just didn't look vicious to me.  Not that it excuses what happened.  Nothing excuses someone getting bitten.  I do feel sorry for the lady for sure.  I just think the dog needs some training (obviously).

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Traci, here is the original article from the discussion: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/cutline/rescued-dog-bites-nbc-anchor-fa... which is where the information is. I believe the incident was accurately reported and not sensationalized, especially because if you read the article, it says the network is trying to get the video off the internet. If anything, they are trying to keep it quiet. 

I don't what would make a dog would "look vicious" to you",  but there is a reason that Dogo Argentinos are banned in the United Kingdom, Australia, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, New Zealand, and the Ukraine. They are not suited to be family pets for most people, and they need more than just training. The dog was not trying to attack her. He felt threatened and protective, and as is the nature of Dogos, he did attack.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Okay...Just watched it again...This time with more volume.  It does seem that at first the dog was okay with her petting him, but that last time when she got too close to his face (which she was very stupid for doing), he did seem like he was upset with her getting so close.  She shouldn't have done that!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I had to watch it again too.  A few more times. I noticed when she touched his backside he looked, not too happy.  That was the first time I noticed it.  I still say, his eyes gave it away to me.  They don't give much of a shot, and cut off a lot, but when I could see them, they had " that look" that I am familiar with.

I was wrong above that the dog backed off.  He was pulled off by the owner.  I have to walk away from this post.  It bothers me.   I feel bad for all involved.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I'm from Denver and I was listening to some trainer on a radio talk about the incident. I totally agree there was no reason to expose the already stressed dog to even more stress in a TV studio. Both the owner and the TV host should have known better. I really feel bad about all parties involved, but mostly for the animal. First, almost drowning in a freezing cold lake, being pulled out by a firefighter, then next day being in an unfamiliar environment with lots of lights, cables, talking strangers and people getting into your face....and once he snapped, he was whisked away to a quarantine. Animal will follow its instincts when threatened. It's the owner's responsibility to recognize when you dog is under stress to prevent accidents like this one. You can't assume that every person knows how to approach a strange dog. It's your dog, it's your job to keep your dog safe and don't expose him to a situation where he can be a danger to other people. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

A few ideas by watching this video in slow motion.  She keeps rubbing his ears.  Could he have an ear ache from being in freezing water?  And then there are the shinny eyes I keep mentioning that I recognize.  Click on the photo and it will enlarge and you will be able to see it better.

One other note.  The placement of the owner, then dog, then reporter.

These dogs are protection dogs. 

This is were a heel position is very important. This dog was incorrectly placed in between

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Exactly. These dogs are protection dogs.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Who would ever poke a dog you don't know like she is doing. That said I took the dogs to the office yesterday, someone begged me to, and they and a couple of people were all over each other. But my dogs are not this dog.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Even protection dogs can be very good dogs. Think GSD, even Labs. This is where good training comes into play. Both for dogs and owners. I'm concluding by just position alone, he was inadvertently set up :(
He should have been at the handlers side, and in a down/stay.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with you in general. But I would not compare a Dogo Argentino to a GSD or a Lab, regardless of any amount of training. GSDs were originally used for herding and guarding livestock, Labs for retrieving game for hunters. Both have been used extensively as service dogs- not just therapy dogs, but actual assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities. Dogos have not been used for these purposes and IMO never could be.

I am not at all blaming the dog. The dog was set up. I'm just saying, training won't ever turn a Dogo into a Lab, or even a GSD.

[Charlene and Buster Dudley]

I agree this breed was created/designed for hunting. Surprisingly enough the do not kill their target, they work in groups and restrain they target untill the hunters come release the dogs.  They are known to be fiercely loyal to their OWN family.  This is assuming they live and work with a hunter as their human companion.  It would take what 50 years to breed out certain traits?

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Joanne - you and I spent hours talking about Starlit and her issues. I learned from just listening to you. I know that Charli is stressed when I have to clean her ear or groom her - she yawns. I talk to her quietly and she settles. 

I learned from Debbie that no matter how much you know a dog, I don't mean your own, to say hello you bend down, turn to the side and hold you hand up and let the dog come to you.

These owners are morons to allow their dog to be put into this situation.