Border collies and terriers are the most likely dogs to bite people, according to preliminary findings of a new research project.
The project, jointly undertaken by the Cork County Council veterinary department and the faculty of veterinary medicine in UCD, aims to put together an education package for dog-owners and non-owners on how to prevent aggressive behaviour and biting by dogs.
The research team is appealing to the public to ring a special phone line if they have been bitten or have a dog that has bitten somebody. So far the line has received 177 calls.
Early findings show that border collies and terriers are the two most frequent breeds recorded as biting. Slightly more females than males are bitten. Dogs are equally likely to bite strangers and somebody very well known to them.
Allowing dogs to sleep on the owner's bed, feeding dogs from the table and allowing dogs on to furniture in the house have a significant association with biting incidents.
Edmond O'Sullivan, Cork County Council veterinary inspector who is leading the project, said it began when dog wardens with the local authority noticed that more dogs were being surrendered to them because of aggressive behaviour.
He said the finding that dogs who slept on a bed or were allowed on to furniture were associated with bites was because the dog viewed the other members of the household as other dogs and members of the pack. "If the owners defer to the dog and give it privileges, the dog believes he is the leader. When the owner doesn't defer, the dog can bite as it's a challenge to its status."
The dog bite line will closed on May 31st. The number is 021-4632901.