Muzzle shaming needs to stop Part 2

For too long a muzzled dog has been viewed as a bad dog, rather than asking questions, assumptions are made. If however we asked others why their dog wears a muzzle you may be surprised at the answers.
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The image attached I shared independently and wrote that the blog was coming on Friday of the same week, a handful of people all honed in on the dog showing aggression. That they didn't understand the comic because of this, because I was saying that a muzzled dog does not make a bad dog and I stand by that. We need to educate ourselves that a dog that barks, growls, snarls etc isn't a bad dog but a dog that maybe protecting itself, they may have PTSD, they maybe feeling unwell, just like humans there are many reasons a dog can show aggression.


But this is the take away I would like as an outcome, we need to stop viewing a dog who displays aggression as bad dogs, this is dangerous and can have dogs lose their lives. Always consult with an accredited behaviourist concerning a dog that you think is displaying aggression to have a full evaluation of the context, if the dog in question isn't your dog ask the guardian. Making assumptions is incredibly unfair.

On the other hand I would like to see the outcome be that people are embracing muzzles and instead of seeing a muzzle as a negative and not muzzling their dogs when required by law then this could greatly reduce some of the attacks that keep making the news. I'm not focusing on a specific breed as there are many breeds that have attacked people in public settings and if the dog was muzzled in this instance, a horrible situation could have been avoided.

Muzzles save lives!

In many countries it is a legal requirement for a dog to be muzzled regardless of their breed and it is a part of the culture and the laws of the country.

In Germany dogs must be muzzled in certain municipalities and federal states, on public transport, within public gatherings, parks, swimming pools and some administrative buildings. Germany advises if you plan to visit to check the laws to protect your dog. (1)

Until recent years in Italy, many dog breeds not required to be muzzled within the UK were legally required to wear muzzles when in public in Italy, the breeds included the German shepherd, Rottweiler, Newfoundlands, St.bernards and Dobermans. Now dogs are only legally required to be muzzled on public transport, however guidelines ask visitors to check on the laws when visiting and to carry a muzzle and to use a 1.5 metre lead. (2)

Within Spain there are strict muzzle laws for dogs over 20 kg and large dog breeds are not allowed onto public transport without a muzzle. It is advised to check before visiting the country and the area where you are staying for the relevant law.
France separates dogs into two categories, attacking and guard which includes Staffordshire bull terriers, Rottweilers, Dobermans and Mastiffs, these dogs have to be muzzled in public and on lead at all times, their guardians also need a particular licence. Small dogs must be in carriers on public transport and larger dogs muzzled.
Within Ireland all dog guardians with dogs over the age of four months must have a licence unless the dog is a guide dog or with the gardai or ISPCA.

There is a controlled breed list with many of the breeds already mentioned as well as bull terriers, Rhodesian ridgebacks, Japanese Akita and Tosa or a cross breed of these breeds must be with someone over the age of 16 who is able to control the dog, a lead under two metres at all times, muzzled in public and wearing a collar with the name and address clearly visible. (3)

It is becoming a more popular concept to muzzle dogs for their protection and this can because of aggression (which is also multi model, just because a dog shows aggression does not mean the dog is a bad dog, just as a human shows aggression, it can be because of fear and communication that they need space), it can be because they have a habit of scavenging as dogs are genetically predisposed to scavenge.

We have a collective duty of care to each other and each other's dogs that if we know that our dog maybe uncomfortable when in public and likely to bite another dog or a person then we need to create a society that supports the guardians and empowers them rather than pulling them down, verbal attacks and unkindness.

I myself have been attacked in public by off-lead dogs and had to go to hospital with injuries, which could have been avoided with a lead and a muzzle. So this is a subject very close to my heart and as a dog professional I see both sides, but mostly I see we have a duty of care to protect dogs who we place in our care and our families. So please be kind to others who may need to muzzle their dog!

References

Hunter (no date) Maulkorbpflicht bei Hunden: Wann Sie gilt: Hunter Magazin, Your HUNTER Magazine: All topics about cats & dogs. Available at: https://www.wirliebenhunter.de/.../obligation-to-wear-a.../
Dog-Muzzles-Store.co.uk (no date) Dog Muzzle Laws, Dog muzzle laws around the world : The best dog muzzles online, dog muzzles for all dog breeds. Available at: https://www.dog-muzzles-store.co.uk/dog-muzzle-laws...
Citizensinformation.ie (no date) Dog licences and ownership. Available at: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/.../control-of-dogs/

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