The season of attacks by pets on people has begun: “My dog ​​is always right”

With the first warming, the same “dog” theme arises from year to year: our four-legged friends, wildly rejoicing in the spring freedom, attack passers-by, including children, who find themselves in their way. Moreover, we are talking not only about stray flocks, but also about the owner’s pets, overexcited as part of the spring “rut” with the connivance of loving owners.

We listened to the fears of residents of Russian cities and the plans of those who are called upon to protect their interests.

According to residents of apartment buildings, where there is always a whole group of enthusiastic dog owners, their lives have become somewhat easier with the appearance of video cameras in their yards and entrances.

“A few years ago, my son was lightly bitten playfully by a neighbor’s dog in the yard,” shares Larisa from the southwest of Moscow. – It was during the game, I didn’t blame anyone, especially since I love animals myself. I just thought it necessary to let the owners know that their dog might bite them so that they could take action. Their dog was still very young at that time, almost a puppy, so he ran around with the children without a leash. In general, the breed is serious, muzzled. And the owners seem so nice. But suddenly there were shouts and insults in response. Immediately I’m “bitten citizen” and “shut up, zoo-hater”, and all that. I shut up, but the problem remains! I say this calmly because we personally moved from that house for our own reasons. And I’m telling you because other families with children and this biting dog stayed there.

Some dog owners, even those who call themselves “bulldog mothers,” admit that in the spring their pets can play tricks.

– Well, dogs, they are like children! – explains Oksana, the “mother” of a French bulldog from the Moscow region. – They rejoice at the first sun, warmth, grass from under the snowdrifts, and in joy they can bite. But, of course, we only let our own people off the leash in the forest, where there are no strangers. And if the children themselves don’t go near the dog, then nothing will happen to them.

– And the muzzle?

-Have you seen the face of a French bulldog? Would you put such an uncomfortable muzzle on yourself?

Due to the “humanization” of their pets, their owners are not always able to adequately assess the damage caused. Offensive remarks are passed from mouth to mouth by the offended “dogless” residents of the house.

“The neighbor tells me: just think, your son’s jacket is only torn, but my Dickie is in shock from his screams.” And she has a Rottweiler just for a second. And he jumped on my 12-year-old son in the yard so hard that he tore his jacket. What if it were your back?!

The owners respond to this by saying that since their dog jumped, it means he had a good reason for it. Surely the boy himself got into trouble, so it is necessary to “train children for safe walks in the yard”, not dogs. And if the “zoo haters” so unbearably want to persecute someone, then let them take care of stray cats, otherwise they also irritate dogs of noble breeds.

Meanwhile, “dogless” residents leave requests at their place of residence to catch stray dogs, which in the spring appear in their yards in droves, but so far they have not seen any reaction: apparently, the management companies of the houses have more serious matters to deal with.

– It feels like the “dog” problem is being deliberately ignored! – residents of many Russian cities complain. And some add that every day they observe “dog feuds,” first between a dog and its victim, most often children or runners who attract the attention of four-legged animals excited in the spring, and then between the victim or its parents and “dog moms and dads.”

A survey of those responsible for security from the person’s friends shows that Moscow has nevertheless taken up this issue. Social activist and deputy Anna Danilova took the trouble to attract the attention of both the authorities and the “dog mothers” themselves to the problem, inviting them to a general meeting on April 3. The theme of the meeting was conscious pet ownership: rights and responsibilities. Also invited to the meeting were experts (dog handlers, veterinarians, etc.), representatives of animal protection organizations and executive authorities.

“Today, there is a lack of understanding among pet owners about the rules for keeping and walking animals, as well as a lack of sufficient control over compliance with such rules,” says Anna. “This situation leads to cases of attacks by domestic animals on people and other pets.

Anna Danilova’s goal, with the help of a “profile” meeting, is to develop and implement a set of measures aimed at reducing the number of emergency situations associated with owning and keeping pets in Moscow.

If the measure is successful, then other “dog-ridden” Russian cities may follow the example of the capital.