Veterinarian Warns Against Aggressive Dogs

Forbidden in some countries, aggressive foreign species continue to enter Cameroon.

Inhabitants of Bonaberi in Douala are still to recover from shocks following the butchery of a man who was on a keep-fit by two dogs along a secondary road early October 11. All efforts by the population, it is said, were helpless and futile until soldiers who were alerted to the scene shot dead the aggressive dogs.

The incident brings to light the influx of foreign breeds of the pet into Cameroon. But the question on many lips is why a dog would fatally attack a human being. Veterinarian Dr. Hermine Flore Kwin explains that dogs are either naturally aggressive, incited or trained to be so.

Insufficient care can be a reason for aggressiveness but where a dog attacks a human being, the kind of training given is to blame. If a dog is trained to attack, especially certain body parts, or it was fed with fresh flesh or chicken with blood, it may cause it to bite man or eat up part of his flesh.

Based on this, a naturally aggressive dog breed called Rottweiler is now forbidden in France. Others like Pit-bull, Boer-bull and the Cameroonian species "Congolense" are aggressive yet are common in Cameroon. Although substances like whisky, drugs and sugars are thought to make dogs aggressive, it is only for a short time and the dog regains normality when their effects are over. These substances don't change the character of the dog.

However, more helpful dogs like Berger Belge, commonly called Malinois, are used by police at airports to detect drugs. Dogs used as companions are small in size. Larger dogs like Rottweilers are very dangerous and are used to guard. People must know that all dogs are dangerous. Excessive punishment, teasing, chaining in the yard can all contribute to problem behavior. Too much undeserved praise also confuse dogs and lead to frustration and aggression.

Gilles Casimir, Regional Director of Security Dog- a private security company in Douala- says once a dog has assumed a dominance aggressive temperament, it can be very difficult and sometimes impossible to change his outlook. Through fear, he may allow one or two members of the family to dominate him but he may never be fully trustworthy around lower ranking members of the family, children and strangers. He advises that all puppies should be verbally scolded or affection denied when they jump up on people, chase running joggers and children, ride legs or growl for any reason.