Why Dogs Attack & What This Expert Says To Do In Dangerous Situations

NEW HYDE PARK, NY — Many in Nassau County consider their dog an integral part of the family — and they are.

But a tragedy on Wednesday — in which a woman was fatally mauled by a family dog — is a sobering reminder that our canine companions are animals with predator instincts. And if a dog attacks, although rare, it can be deadly.

Gary Rogers, president of Nassau County's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), spoke with Patch about the incident, as well as what to do if confronted by a dog exhibiting aggressive behavior.

The above phrasing, "dog exhibiting aggressive behavior," is intentional. Because not all dogs are aggressive. But all dogs can exhibit aggressive behavior.

It is not immediately clear if the pit bull that attacked an Albertson woman Wednesday was known to be aggressive. According to Rogers and Nassau County police, they never received complaints about the dog prior to the tragic incident.

Here's what happened.

A 70-year-old woman was killed in her backyard after getting mauled by a dog that had belonged to her late son, according to police.

The husband, who had just returned from work, saw the attack and called the police. When authorities arrived, the 7-year-old pit bull charged at the officers. One of the officers fired their gun, killing the animal.

According to police, the pit bull belonged to the woman's late son, who reportedly died in a motorcycle crash out East a couple of weeks ago.

Rogers — who also teaches Nassau police academy recruits about animal safety — called the incident a tragedy, but emphasized that fatal dog attacks are "very, very rare."

"We have not had a fatal dog attack in Nassau County in years," he said. "We don't know what set the dog off but it's a horrible thing."

Rogers says the SPCA does not keep a database of fatal maulings by dogs, but recalled the last known dog attack in the county being in 2015 when a child was attacked by a pit bull in the backyard of an Elmont home.

Newsday searched its archives dating back to the 1940s and did not find similar deaths.

Rogers: No Breed Has A Specific Personality Type

While a horrific tragedy, Rogers says that Wednesday's attack should not influence how people view pit bulls, a breed frequently portrayed in media as dangerous and temperamental.

Like people, every dog has a unique personality, according to Rogers. So don't expect every pit bull you encounter to be aggressive, or every golden retriever to be friendly.

"Dogs just don't get up in the morning and say, 'gee, I'm gonna attack and kill my owner,'" Rogers said. "They don't plan that out. They don't think that."

For the most part, a dog that comes from a loving home and receives adequate training will not maul a person. But if a dog feels threatened, or their predator-prey instincts kick in, that's when things can go south, according to Rogers.

Authorities are still trying to piece together what happened in Alberston on Wednesday, and why the dog was compelled to attack a woman he had known for years.

Regardless of why it happened, Rogers said pet owners need to always pay attention to how their canine companion is feeling.

For instance, dogs are known to mourn the loss of their human family members. Perhaps without its owner, a dog can grow skittish and uncertain of its surroundings. Maybe a dog is protective of its owner and is scared of the towering stranger that's in their space. Or, it could be that the dog is territorial and guarding something they see as highly valuable — like their food or their favorite dog toy.

They don't have fists like people, so they use their teeth, Rogers said. Fortunately, most dogs will give you a heads up if they're ready to attack.

"Animals give you signs. And sometimes you have to assess at that point in time how you are gonna handle that growl or what that dog is doing," he explained. "Every dog has a different personality."

He added: "If you sense mood changes in your pet, call your veterinarian and be careful."

What To Do When Confronted By A Threatening Dog

Just like pet owners, strangers need to be aware of how a dog is responding to its environment.

If you think a dog is about to attack you, Rogers says don't run.

"One of the worst things you can do, especially with a stray dog, is to run from it," Rogers explained. "You want to turn yourself sideways and make yourself small."

If you're actively getting attacked and a part of your body is in a dog's mouth, you also shouldn't pull away. That's because yanking a body part from its teeth can tear your skin and muscles, causing more harm than good.

"It's a natural reaction to get away, but pulling away from a bite, especially from a dog that is clamped on to you, will do a lot more damage to you than getting the dog off some other way," Rogers said.

Try your best to stay calm and protect your head and neck. And if you can, Rogers says put a barrier between you and the dog. It could be anything — a garbage can lid, an umbrella, or even a garden accessory.

But whatever you do to create space, don't do it by running away.