CBRR&R Aggression and Bite Policy
Overview
When evaluating a potential CBRR&R foster, there is no decision that will be more difficult, involved and emotional that than having to determine the disposition of a dog with confirmed aggression issues and/or bite history. This policy is presented as a guideline and tool to assist the volunteer or member in evaluating whether the dog can safely be accepted as a foster of CBRR&R and the behaviors that must be considered and classified during an evaluation. In cases of confirmed or suspected bite histories, the evaluation must be submitted to the CBRR&R Bite Committee, or in certain cases, the CBRR&R Board of Directors for review and approval prior to the dog being accepted. All determinations of the Bite Committee and the Board of Directors are final and must be adhered to by the membership. For aggression issues without bite history, it will be the member or volunteer’s responsibility to determine from their findings whether the dog can safely be accepted as a foster. As is the case with all matters of policy, please contact a Board of Directors representative, if you have any questions or concerns regarding a specific dog or this policy in general.
AGGRESSION ISSUES
Considerations
It must first be noted that ALL dogs of every breed have the potential for aggression and the ability to inflict a bite. It is the specific circumstances leading up to the aggression and the proper classification of the aggressive behavior that will determine whether it is safe and advisable to accept a particular dog into the CBRR&R foster system. Toward this end, aggression can be classified into different categories and at different levels that will assist a member in assessing the dog’s behavior. The information provided is based wholly on the “Peppertree Rescue Training” program. All members and volunteers are urged to review and understand the complete documentation that can be found under “Articles” on the CBRR&R website. For the purpose of evaluation, there are five basic classifications of aggression that will be used.
Dominance Aggression
Dominant aggressive dogs are said to be asserting their CONTROL over a situation and are often described as being in the “AlfaAlpha” or dominant position. Dominance aggression should be suspected if behaviors are related to any or all of the following. Growling, snarling, snapping or biting directed at any family members or members of the household where the dog lives. Many times it will be associated with defense of food, toys or other play objects, dog beds, kennels or other resting places, and/or priority position for the attentions of a favorite person or “mate”. This aggression will be seen if the above items are approached or touched and will usually be associated with postures, gestures or signals by the dog that it does not approve of what is happening to or around it. It can also be associated with correction directed at it in the form of punishment and threats, (verbal or physical), or even gestures of affection such as petting, kissing and hugging. Other common triggers can be bending or stepping over the dog, or disturbing it while it is sleeping, as well as bathing, restraining or any other action that it see as a threat to its dominant position within the household. This behavior can be directed at a single person, multiple people or anyone and everyone in general within the household.
Territorial Aggression
This aggression is seen as PROTECTION behavior by the dog of places, and/or family from outsiders. Territorial aggression should be suspected if the dog growls, barks at or bites strange (unfamiliar) humans or animals under the following conditions. Behavior is directed at strangers or animals passing the house or yard, entering the house or yard, leaving the house or a specific area or moving from room to room within a location. It should also be suspected in dogs exhibiting this behavior when the dog or owner is approached in a situation away from home or while traveling or sitting in a vehicle.
Fear Aggression
This aggression is usually associated with a submissive dog that exhibits aggression in a situation where it feels trapped, cornered or under stress in a manner where it feels that it cannot escape. The dog will usually exhibit avoidance (flight) behavior prior to showing aggression. Fear aggression should be suspected if a normally submissive dog growls, barks or bites in situations such as a trip to the vet, groomer or other situation where an unfamiliar person is trying to make hands on contact with it. This behavior can be directed at the unfamiliar person but may also include aggression toward a family member during the situation.
Predatory Aggression
Of all aggressive behaviors, Predatory Aggression should be considered as the most troubling. It is unfortunate that most fatal attacks by dogs are associated with this form of aggression. However, predatory aggression towards humans is not a common complaint. This form of aggression should be suspected if the dog stalks and/or chases an animal or human WITHOUT also barking or growling. This behavior can be triggered by fast moving stimuli, I.E., the “target” of the aggression was running, jogging or bicycling when the incident occurred. If the dog exhibits this behavior only for animals, it must still be suspected as at risk to show this aggression toward humans. Careful consideration should be given in evaluating a dog that exhibits the behavior. Though it is not required by policy, it is encouraged that all cases of Predatory Aggression be discussed with the Bite Committee. The potential liability of this dog could be extreme and careful observation will be necessary if it is accepted as a foster.
Pain Aggression
This form of aggression can be associated with actual inflicted pain or with the anticipation of pain that is associated with a specific action. In a dog with reoccurring ear infections, it is not uncommon to see pain aggression exhibited when the ears are handled even when no infection is present. It can also be associated with punishment and may also include dominance and fear aggression issues. It is seen most often in geriatric dogs.
SECTION#2
Aggression Levels
When a dog does exhibit aggression, the level of aggression must be determined. Three levels will be utilized to classify this. The three levels are: Mild, Severe and Extreme.
MILD aggression can be defined as exhibiting aggression identifiable but not in a way that could be considered as an immediate threat. In cases of Dominance Aggression dealing with toys or food, mild aggression would be seen as a dog that growls when food or toys are touched or approached but backs down immediately if corrected. In Predatory aggression is would a dog that started a chase or stalk but breaks off the behavior immediately when commanded to stop.
SEVERE aggression would be more obvious and is not easily broken off when commanded to do so. In food or toy aggression it would be considered as growling and snapping even after the command to cease has been given. In Territorial Aggression, if the dog continues to bark growl or lunge after the owner has commanded it to cease, this would be severe aggression.
EXTREME aggression would be cases where the aggression happens without apparent triggers or can not be broken off once it has been triggered. If the dog’s aggression is being described to you as be UNPREDICTABLE, out of control, or uncontrollable, it is almost a certainty that it is exhibiting a severe level of one or more of the classifications of aggression. It can also be assumed that if a bite has not yet occurred that it is imminent. All members are strongly cautioned to take precautions if it is decided to personally evaluate a dog with suspected extreme aggression. Prior to a dog with extreme aggression being accepted as a foster, it is essential that the foster be advised of the level of aggression and that they have prior experience with dealing with extreme aggression issues. It is the policy of CBRR&R than no dog exhibiting extreme aggression will be fostered by or adopted into a home with children!
Bite Policy
Consideration
When dealing with dogs that have a bite history, it is imperative that this policy is strictly adhered to. For the purpose of this policy, no distinction is made between whether the bite history is confirmed (member has spoken with someone that actually saw the behavior) or reported (no first hand account available). All members must understand that we incur a grave amount of liability and responsibility in accepting ANY dog that has a confirmed or reported bite history. This liability does not lessen or go away when the dog is adopted, but continues on until the day the dog dies. With this in mind, CBRR&R has set up a Bite Committee to review dogs with a bite history. In certain cases, the Board of Directors will retain the responsibility for the review and determination. The Bite Committee’s responsibility is to review the facts gathered by the members about the dog and the bite incident and to vote as to whether the dog will be accepted as a CBRR&R foster and be available for adoption. Members play a vital role by bringing as much information as possible to the Bite Committee to assure that an informed and comprehensive review is done prior to the determination of the dog’s fate within or outside our system. It must be noted that as well as fostering, it is a violation of this policy to provide transport for a dog with a bite history, while acting as a member or agent of CBRR&R, unless the procedures outlined below are followed.
Bite Classification
For classifying the severity of the bite, CBRR&R will utilize the bite grading system that has been developed by Ian Dunbar. Dependant upon the actual damage that has been sustained, the bite will be classified into one of the following levels.
Level 1: Bark, lunge, no teeth on skin (aggression only).
Level 2: Teeth touched the skin, no puncture.
Level 3: 1-4 holes from a single bite. All holes are shallow: less than 1/2 the depth of a single canine tooth.
Level 4: Single bite, deep punctures, may involve holding. Wound goes black within 24 hours.
Level 5: Multiple bite attack or multiple attack incidents.
Level 6: Missing large portions of flesh.
Evaluation Requirements
All members are advised that the following procedures will be required prior to any dog with a bite history being accepted as a CBRR&R foster. All dogs with a bite history MUST be evaluated by a CBRR&R member prior to any transport or foster within our system. The member must assess the dog using the “Aggression” and “Bite” evaluation form included in this policy and submit the signed form to the CBRR&R Bite Committee or CBRR&R Board of Directors for review and determination. All members must note that CBRR&R will not accept for foster any dog that has been graded at a bite level of 4, 5 or 6. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE. However, if it is a member’s desire to offer support and assistance to the owner by transporting a dog classified at these levels to a veterinary office for the purpose of euthanasia, the transport is allowed under the following conditions:
1. From the moment the member takes possession, the dog must be muzzled.
2. Transport will only be allowed if the dog is crated.
3. The dog must at all times be collared and leashed.
4. Prior arrangements must have been made at the vet office for the visit.
5. Any charges for euthanasia that will be at the expense of CBRR&R must be with prior approval of the Bite Committee or the Board of Directors.
Other transports performed by CBRR&R members of a dog with a bite level of 4, 5 or 6 is strictly prohibited.
Determination
Determination for dogs that have been assessed at a bite level of 2 will be the responsibility of the Bite Committee. Determination for dogs with a bite level of 3 will be the responsibility of the Board of Directors. It is requested that the members that perform an evaluation try to include as much detail as possible when presenting a dog with a bite history as a potential foster. The Bite Committee or the Board of Directors will, on conclusion of their review, render one of the following determinations:
1. The dog is accepted without condition
2. The dog is accepted with special conditions
3. The dog is rejected
4. Further information is required to make a determination
Special conditions can be as general as requiring re-evaluation of the dog within a specific timeframe to restricting the dog to experienced foster homes only. All dogs with a bite history that are approved with special conditions are restricted from being transferred from their approved foster home, including adoption, unless approval for the transfer has been requested of and has been received from the Board of Directors. Rejection of a dog will include whether it is in the best interest of the dog and the public to recommend euthanasia as the determination.
the determination.
BITES OR AGGRESSION AFTER A DOG HAS BEEN ACCEPTED AS A CBRR&R FOSTER
Considerations
It is an unfortunate fact that sometimes a dog comes to our organization with an incomplete or inaccurate behavioral historybehavioral history. In addition, the stress of being brought into a new environment can also bring on behaviors that were not apparent during the initial evaluation prior to accepting the dog. The policy below has been developed to help the foster understand and deal with these issues. It must again be noted that once CBRR&R legally owns the dog, we incur liability for that dog’s actions until its death.