Buffalo, NY (WBEN) After a dog attacked and killed its owner Monday, some animal experts are offering advice on how to handle large pets, especially with company around.
Lewiston Police Chief Michael Salada says officers went to a home on Saunders Settlement Road around 9:15am Monday. "Our first officers on scene found a female unconscious, not breathing, with a severe laceration to her neck that was consistent with a dog bite. They did begin life-saving measures. EMS arrived on scene a short time later and took over those efforts, and she did end up succumbing to her injuries a while later at the home," says Salada.
He says at this point, no foul play is suspected. "We believe he might have been just spooked. There were some contractors in the house, and we believe it may have been due to the added people in the house that were strangers, and and he just got spooked," explains Salada. The woman is identified as 60 year old Lisa Bundy.
Amy Lewis of the Niagara County SPCA says when a dog outweighs a person, there's an incredible amount of training that has to to go into that dog to make sure that he is a is a good companion. "A lot of times, especially when you get into these working breeds, these dogs have got to be not just physically exercised, but their mind has to be used so they're not home and boredom creeps up, and then you get to see behavior problems, and this is really an extreme example."
Lewis says she harbors a human aggressive dog, and she takes steps to keep everyone safe when visitors drop by. "I always put her away. She's crated anytime I have company over. Certainly, if I have workers coming to the house, I am always cognizant of what this dog is capable of, and and keeping everyone, including her, safe. And certainly with a large, powerful breed like a Saint Bernard, take the extra effort, put him away, keep him safe, keep him away from people," advises Lewis.
She says spaying or neutering can also help matters. "While it doesn't cure behaviors, and and it certainly doesn't prevent all of them. It can curb some of these behaviors," says Lewis, who also says do research before choosing a larger pet.
