Attack dog

An attack dog is any dog bred, trained or used for the purpose of attacking a target either on command or on sight. [cite book|title=Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary|publisher=Merriam-Webster|last=Mish|first=Frederick C.|page=79|year=2003|isbn=0877798095] Attack dogs have been used often throughout history and are now employed in dog fighting, as well as police and military roles.

History

Early in recorded history there are records of dogs being trained for the purpose of attacking a target. [cite book|title=War Dogs: A History of Loyalty and Heroism|year=1999|publisher=Brassey's Inc|isbn=1574882163|last=Lemish|first=Michael G.|page=1] One of the most well-recorded ancient uses was in a battle between the Greeks and Corinthians, in which dogs were used to keep watch over a fortress and despite being unsuccessful in opposing an enemy attack, were able to alert the sleeping soldiers to the attack. Ancient Romans first adopted the use of dogs as a weapon after hordes of dogs delayed their victory in the Battle of Versella. The Romans not only trained them to attack, but also bred their attack dogs for ferocity. The effect of this was documented by Roman naturalist and writer Pliny the Elder, who wrote that the animals would not back down, even when confronted by swords. The Roman attack dogs were given metal armour covered in razor-sharp spikes, designed to force the enemy out of formation.cite book|title=War Dogs: A History of Loyalty and Heroism|year=1999|publisher=Brassey's Inc|isbn=1574882163|last=Lemish|first=Michael G.|page=2] Napoleon utilised dogs for their superior senses, putting them to work in roles similar to that of modern sentry dogs. [cite book|title=War Dogs: A History of Loyalty and Heroism|year=1999|publisher=Brassey's Inc|isbn=1574882163|last=Lemish|first=Michael G.|page=4] The first use of attack dogs in America was suggested by Benjamin Franklin. [cite book|title=War Dogs: A History of Loyalty and Heroism|year=1999|publisher=Brassey's Inc|isbn=1574882163|last=Lemish|first=Michael G.|page=6]

Training

Attack dog training is a variation of sentry dog training, only instead of bringing attention to an intruder, is trained to chase, hold and injure, or possibly kill, a perceived hostile target. [cite book|title=Fort Robinson and the American Century, 1900–1948|last=Buecker|first=Thomas|isbn=0806136464|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|year=2004|page=97] Attack dogs are trained to interpret a situation and react accordingly. In formal training, the dogs are exposed to gunfire, traffic and other distractions to increase their effectiveness. [cite book|title = Technical Manual|page = 107|author =United States War Dept.|publisher = United States War Dept.] Attack training is condemned by some as promoting ferocity in dogs; American statistics show that 10% of dogs that have bitten a person received attack dog training at some point. [cite book|title=Animal Welfare Improvement Act of 1975: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on the Environment of the Committee on Commerce|author=United States Congress. Senate. Committee on Commerce. Subcommittee on the Environment|year=1976|page=111|publisher=United States Government|quote=Nearly 10 per cent of the dogs that have bitten people have received attack dogtraining.]

Uses

Dogs used in underground dog fighting rings are given attack dog training to raise their ferocity and enhance their fighting ability. These dogs are often trained using live bait, such as cats, rabbits and smaller dogs. [cite web|url=http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/animal_fighting_the_final_round/dogfighting_fact_sheet/|title=Dogfighting Fact Sheet|publisher=The Humane Society of the United States|accessdate=2008-08-13] Fighting attack dogs are often the product of large, strong dogs being cross bred with pit fighting dogs. Pit fighting breeds, such as Pit Bulls, were historically selectively bred to eliminate the will to submit in a fight. [cite episode
title = Interview with the owner of pig dogs responsible for attacking a 13-yearold boy
series = Campbell Live
serieslink = Campbell Live
airdate = 2008-06-18
network = TV3 (New Zealand)]

Various modern military groups also use attack dogs, primarily for sentry purposes, the dogs are trained to defend their post and attack any possible intruders. [cite book|title=Killer Animals|last=Ricciuti|first=Edward|publisher=Lyons Press|isbn=1585748684|page=122] It is also reported that dogs have been used in psychological torture against prisoners of war. [cite web|title=We were using dogs in the Mosul detention facility|url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/329528_amy30.html|publisher=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|accessdate=2008-08-19]

Additionally, attack dogs are used by almost every police force in the world, for apprehending and subduing targets. The dogs are trained to identify situations where humans are in danger and respond accordingly. [cite book|title=Killer Animals|last=Ricciuti|first=Edward|publisher=Lyons Press|isbn=1585748684|page=123] Police attack dogs are generally trained to hold a target rather than to inflict injury.

ee also

*Police dog
*Schutzhund

References