Dog on a Tightrope: The Position of the Dog in British Society as Influenced by Press Reports on Dog Attacks (1988 to 1992)

Five major British daily newspapers (4 broadsheets and 1 tabloid) and their related Sunday editions were monitored over a 5-year period (1988 to 1992 inclusive) to locate articles on dog attacks on humans. From 1989 to 1991 (inclusive) there was intense media interest in dog attacks whereas in 1988 and 1992 there was little. In 1989 and 1990, German Shepherds and Rottweilers were most often reported as the attacking dog but the Rottweiler suffered disproportionate negative publicity. Breed registration figures reflected the media interest with a dramatic drop in Rottweiler numbers. In 1991, the American Pit Bull Terrier was most often in the news and the government hastily introduced new dog legislation, the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. It is suggested that the media, public, and government response is an overreaction to the generally held ideal that the dog's position in society is as a loyal and faithful companion. The dog's position in society therefore appears to be inherently unstable. With real or even perceived increases in unacceptable behavior by these animals, the species, or at the very least certain breeds of dog, could rapidly lose public favor and acceptance.