| Dogs have not traveled far along the | | | | areas. However, when dog packs operate |
| evolutionary road since the time they | | | | as hunting groups, much larger animals |
| hunted and killed for food. In fact, | | | | become the prey, sometimes even people. |
| some breeds are still selectively bred | | | | Most dogs that have killed people, |
| for their tendency to chase or stalk | | | | either by themselves or in packs, select |
| prey and at least capture, if not kill | | | | children as their prey. Child killings |
| and/or eat them. | | | | (especially those committed by lone |
| Notable among these are the Terriers, | | | | dogs) have usually occurred at or within |
| Dachshunds, sighthounds and various | | | | the dog's "territory," or have involved |
| hunting breeds. It is no wonder then, | | | | a child who screamed shrilly when first |
| that pet dogs occasionally succumb to | | | | approached or knocked down. |
| their ancestral tendency, even without | | | | A small percentage of dogs appears to be |
| special training. | | | | stimulated in the most primitive way by |
| Dogs are often inadvertently trained to | | | | the screaming of any animal: their |
| kill. For example, many dog owners have | | | | reaction is to kill that animal. Wild |
| urged their pets (sometimes playfully) | | | | canines have killed members of their own |
| to chase cats, squirrels and stray dogs, | | | | pack that cry out after they have become |
| and are often horrified when their dogs | | | | trapped or are injured. |
| bring home the neighbor's Teacup Poodle | | | | Dogs that kill other animals should be |
| as a trophy of the chase. | | | | differentiated from those with a |
| Sometimes other animals, usually cats, | | | | fighting problem. Most dog fights end |
| have "trained" dogs to become killers. | | | | before either of the combatants is |
| These animals do this unknowingly by | | | | seriously injured. |
| sitting on fences, rooftops, in trees or | | | | These episodes rarely result in the |
| beyond fences, tantalizing the dog from | | | | death of either dog. Predatory attacks |
| a safe vantage point. | | | | aimed at killing the prey animal are |
| After enough of this teasing, the dog | | | | deliberate, with the fangs aimed at the |
| becomes sufficiently frustrated to | | | | base of the prey's neck just above the |
| attack an animal when the opportunity | | | | shoulders. If the prey is on its back, |
| presents itself. | | | | the soft flesh of the throat or belly is |
| Dogs that kill other animals are | | | | attacked. |
| usually, but not necessarily, of the | | | | A predatory attack also usually includes |
| excitable type and react aggressively or | | | | violent shaking of the victim. Rarely |
| dominantly to other species or smaller | | | | does a domestic dog actually eat its |
| dogs. | | | | kill, though some that prey on chickens |
| The killing of smaller dogs or cats by | | | | and other fowl tend to do so more often |
| larger dogs is usually the case in urban | | | | that cat or dog killers. |