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 newspaper (4 broadsheets and 1 tabloid) and t heir 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 attac ks whereas in 1988 and 1992 there was little. In 1989 and 1990, German Shepherd and Rottweilers were most often reported as the attacking do g but the Rottweiler suffered disproportionate negative publicity. Bre ed registration figures reflected the media interest with a dramatic d rop in Rottweiler numbers. In 1991, the American Pit Bull Terrier was most often in the news and the government hastily introduced new dog l egislation, the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. It is suggested that the medi a, public, and government response is an overreaction to the generally held ideal that the dog's position in society is as a loyal and faith ful companion. The dog's position in society therefore appears to be i nherently unstable. With real or even perceived increases in unaccepta ble behavior by these animals, the species, or at the very least certa in breeds of dog, could rapidly lose public favor and acceptance.