A dog was running at-large, charging and biting multiple people in a neighborhood.Dog breeds, and people and animal demographics were removed from the content to protect privacy and maintain confidentiality. To give an idea of the level of risk ACOs are tasked with putting themselves at on any given day, here is a short list of some of the stories related by the ACOs I interviewed. Types of dangerous dog cases to which ACOs respond ACOs reported more episodes of fear-based aggression in dogs-at-large than true offensive aggression. Officers also evaluate the environment, knowing that the dog may present aggressively when in its yard or near the property line. Others consider whether the dog is social and willing to approach or presenting avoidant behavior. ACOs assess the dogвЂ™s response to people, especially as the dog is вЂњon the move.вЂќ They consider whether the dog is charging at people, or barking and then running away, both of which can indicate offensive or defensive aggression. In addition to monitoring body language, the dogвЂ™s behavior is monitored. ACOs watch for eye softness or hardness, tail and ear carriage, a closed mouth, and piloerection (hackling). A dog may be known to the officer, and if the dog has a history of aggression, this information will work into their assessment. The ACOs reported that they typically look at body language and behavior to assess a dog for aggression. Although they respond to calls for sick or injured wildlife, animal cruelty cases, disaster response, health-related concerns and the like, this paper will focus on dangerous dog calls. The majority of the officers owned canine pets from all breed groups and consistent with the research, viewed their dogs as family members.ДЄCOs respond to a variety of dispatch calls, and their work shift is never routine. Cumulatively, these officers had 321 years of work experience in the animal welfare industry. Twenty-three ACOs located in both rural and municipal areas throughout Colorado took part in this discussion. The conversations highlighted below examined the long term problem of balancing advocacy for dogs while maintaining community safety.

The purpose of this paper is to thank ACOs for the incredible dedication they show every day in their jobs, to showcase the problems in our communities related to dangerous dog events, and provide creative solutions to address those problems. Dog bites and other dog-related injuries accounted for more than one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claim dollars paid out in 2016, costing more than $600 million.ДЄs an applied animal behaviorist, I have worked closely with ACOs over the past two decades, and hold them in high esteem. Inflicted bodily or serious bodily injury upon or has caused the death of a person or domestic animal or has demonstrated tendencies that would cause a reasonable person to believe that the dog may inflict injury upon or cause the death of any person or domestic animal or has engaged in or been trained for animal fighting as described by the statute.ДЄpproximately 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States. The Colorado statute defines aВ вЂњdangerous dogвЂќ as one thatВ has Animal Control Officers (ACOs), first responders in dangerous dog situations, have a difficult role in maintaining safety in the community.

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