My huskies attacked and hurt a cat!

[mmr]

I have what other's call "vicious" dogs. I have a rottweiler and a Doberman. Yet mine are the absolute sweetest babies you will ever see. A little chawawa would be more aggressive than them.

You need to teach you puppies to not attack. It is instinct, yet you can help train them to NOT! That is what we did with our dogs. How old are they? As far as someone prosecuting...yes they could. I don't want to scare you but you also have to know for future the possibilities. First thing you need to do is put up "beware of dog" signs. We had problems with the neighbor kids and we were so worried that something might happen. To protect ourselves I called the police and they said to put the signs up. That way if someone ignored the signs and went over our 6' privacy fence anyways, they couldn't prosecute or sue. 1- they were trespassing, and 2- the ignored very clearly stated warnings. As far as a cat I think the owners if there really wanted to could call the police and pose your dogs as "vicious and ferocious". The only reason I know of all this is because of my dogs. As I said they are sweet babies and there isn't one person that isn't afraid of them, but we also did all the research and phone calls when we got them to protect ourselves and them.
Also if your babies are still small another thing to do that we did is when they are eating, go over and put your hand in their bowls and pet them etc. That way they get used to it and aren't "food aggressive". So many times that is when little kids get bitten or attacked. Now me, hubby, and my little one's (even at the age of 12 months) could mess with them and their food. The only one they are food aggressive with is each other, and that is challenging each other for "alpha" dog!

Huskies’ are in the same "stereotype” as my dogs. They are know for aggression. It is up to you to do the homework and teach them. Go her and them I suggest goggling on how to teach! I am a very firm believer that it is all in how you raise your dogs, especially on'es like ours. You can not just be passive. You need to set boundries, and rules. You need to show them who is in charge even if this means you have to spank or diciplin. Now I am not an animal beater or abuser, but I do have to show that I am still in charge. I have on more than one occasion put them down on their back witht heir paws up and held them there till they were submissive, this shows them you are in charge. The worst thing you want is a dog, especially a breed like we have to be unruly and "problem" dog!

Cesar Millan - Cesar's Tips

Best of luck.

[shosh]

Huskies are Certainly NOT in the same stereotype as Dobermans or Rotties.
At least not up in this neck of the woods. As a matter of fact, they are known to "hold the flashlight for the robber" because of their gentle nature and are used as babysitters for Inuit children in the north.
They just LOOK like wolves and I think their hunting instincts are more keen due to the fact that they are still a little closer to their ancestors then say, the spaniel. My husky killed A LOT of wild animals when she was alive...squirrels, raccoons, birds even. Hated it but couldn't stop it....sort of like my cats. You can't override thousands of years of instinct and with Huskies, it is VERY sharp.
Still, you can certainly try and discourage that behaviour and obedience training is important with ANY breed of dog.

[mmr]

Originally Posted by shosh

Huskies are Certainly NOT in the same stereotype as Dobermans or Rotties.
At least not up in this neck of the woods.

Location does not matter. They are on the national list!!!! If it were up to me My rottie and Dobbie shouldn't be on that list as they are gental also!

Home insurance for dog owners

"While national statistics show at least 30 breeds have attacked humans, 10 dog breeds are on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's most dangerous list, meaning they tend to bite the most frequently. They are:

Pit bulls
Rottweilers
German Shepherds
Huskies
Alaskan Malamutes
Doberman Pinschers
Chow Chows
Great Danes
St. Bernards
Akitas

The breeds considered most likely to kill are pit bulls and rottweilers, and the CDC says that a chained dog is more likely to bite than an unchained dog.

The CDC also says the majority of dog attacks happen at home or in a familiar place, which is why choosing the right dog for your family is crucial."

I know this list very well and Husky's have ALWAYS been on there. Thus making homeonowner's insurance eith 1 hard to get or 2 you have to write off and incidents that may happen!

[shosh]

Well, maybe it's an American thing. Never heard of a list like that in Canada...and certainly not one to affect homeowner's insurance.
Irrespective, it's ridiculous. I am of the firm belief that, with the rare exception, bad dogs are the result of bad owners....and that includes pits, rotts, etc.
My husky wouldn't have hurt anyone...she always had her tail wagging wildly and loved EVERYBODY.
Sigh...world's gone nuts...mind you, I live in a province that has banned pit bulls or dogs that resemble them. It's being fought in courts and should be overturned by the supreme court in the Fall...but, it has cost a great deal of misery for dogs and owners alike.
World is full of stupid people...most of them are politicians.

[DarwinTheSun]

I feel sorry for the kitty, but it is the irresponsibility of his owner. Cats should just not be allowed to roam wherever they please. It is just not safe. The idea that the owners could even sue you is ridiculous IMO, because they are truly at fault for allowing their cat to be put in harms way. Although I know of more ridiculous suits that have been claimed...

[mmr]

Originally Posted by shosh

Well, maybe it's an American thing. Never heard of a list like that in Canada...and certainly not one to affect homeowner's insurance.

Here in the usa if you have a dog on the "list" which insurance companies go by you either pay a lot more, you have to write the dog off for any potential issues, or you get denied on homeowners insurace and are in big trouble. It is hard to find "good" homeowners insurance if you have a dog on "the" list! Or you can just not tell them and home that they either don't find out or nothing devastating happens.
read this!
High-Risk Dogs and Your Insurance

[Addicted to Tequila]

Quick notes:

Huskies have a very high prey drive, they are one of the few large dogs that do (like terriers... but able to attack much larger quarry). They bite few humans... they will go after anything furry that invades their "space" if not socialized extensively when young. IMO... Malamutes are worse about this. YMMV.

Cats pant when they are stressed. Something to look for. Also check the color of their pads... pale means shocky. Cats can go into shock rather easier than dogs.

While national statistics show at least 30 breeds have attacked humans, 10 dog breeds are on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's most dangerous list, meaning they tend to bite the most frequently.
I think they paraphrased a bit. These may be the LARGE dogs that bite most frequently... but I will take any one of them head to head instead of a shiz tu or lhaso apso!

[mmr]

Originally Posted by Addicted to Tequila

I think they paraphrased a bit. These may be the LARGE dogs that bite most frequently... but I will take any one of them head to head instead of a shiz tu or lhaso apso!

ha ha ha me too. They are much more nippier and yippier to boot!

[shosh]

I do agree that malamutes are certainly more "aggressive" than huskies, if that is the proper word. Really weird...have NEVER met a nasty husky. But you are right about the "going after the fluffy thing". My husky was certainly like that....she was the consummate hunter and reminded me very much of a cat in that regard.

Real shame about the laws and home owner's insurance, etc. So silly to group whole breeds together as "dangerous". Am curious to find out if there is any such designation with regards to insurance north of the 49th. Can't recall if I had to answer any dog questions when I got mine....but it was years ago and things could have changed.

[Addicted to Tequila]

Originally Posted by mmr

ha ha ha me too. They are much more nippier and yippier to boot!

Yeah... reason number 5 why I am no longer a vet tech nor groomer! LOL (The owners were reasons 1,2,and 3!)