Spring brings out dog aggression

Spring is the season when more dog bites occur. The weather turns warmer and more people are outside. Add that to the fact that spring is mating season for animals so they are hormonally charged. This can often take the shape of aggression as they seek out the opposite sex.

Dogs seem to be attracted to wheels. We know dogs love to chase cars, and as people go outside to ride their bicycles in the spring, dogs chase them, too. There was an instance in Texas where a loose dog ran after a girl in a wheelchair, jumped up into her lap and bit her on the face. Many times these chases end in dog bites. That’s why it’s so important to keep your dog either contained in a dog pen or on a leash.

If you live in an area where there are wild animals about, this can be an especially dangerous time. Rabies are carried by many wild animals, most notably skunks, foxes, raccoons and coyotes. Any of these can get into a confrontation with a loose dog. The dog then becomes the rabies carrier and if you get bit, it can result in death if immediate medical attention is not provided.

This is one of the reasons to be very careful around strange dogs. Some people like to feed strays, but at this time of year, it’s not the best of ideas. If you see a large dog while you’re out walking or riding a bicycle, do your best to avoid it.

All dogs who haven’t been spayed or neutered have the natural tendency during the spring to be more aggressive, even those who are domesticated. It’s important to vaccinate our pets against rabies every year. Some states require proof of this vaccination. You never know when your pet dog might get loose and hurt someone … especially this time of year.

So be a responsible pet owner and have your dog spayed or neutered, have them vaccinated annually and keep them secured in either a dog pen or on a leash.