Phone 718-454-5800
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
SouthQueens Press 3/8/2002
Who Let The Dogs Out?
Addressing The Growing Number
Of Dog Attacks
By Michelle Sellers
Is man’s best friend becoming our worst nightmare?
In recent weeks the news of dog attacks has made local and national headlines and has led many to
wonder why dog attacks are becoming more frequent. But what is really driving these animals to
injure and kill?
Recent Rash Of Attacks
In recent months dogs attacks have made headlines in Southeast Queens.
(Top) A Rotweiler – dubbed “the man stopper.” (Above) Animal trainer Anthony Jerone with one of his
“canine students.”
PRESS Photos By Ira Cohen
Late last year two people were brutally attacked while on a boardwalk in Rockaway.
It was early on the morning of Dec. 26 2001, when 74-year-old Lev Liberman decided to take a walk
along the Rockaway Boardwalk.
There he encountered a pack of five dogs that included a pit bull, two Rottweilers, and two mixed-
breed dogs.
The dogs attacked him and according to police accounts, Liberman was severely mauled before the
dogs attacked a second victim, jogger Marlene Fils-Aime of Arverne.
Liberman was left virtually unrecognizable form the attack and according to doctors his arm was
nearly ripped off by the vicious dogs.
Jamaica Attack
In October of 2000, a stray dog turned vicious at a Jamaica daycare center in attacking three children
and held a child clenched in its jaw as adults beat the dog with bricks and a metal pole.
The stray dog followed a woman into the day care center through an open door, according to police.
According to a neighbor, the dog was one of two that had roamed the neighborhood and harrased a
mother and a daughter earlier that day.
A two-year-old child was treated for severe lacerations to his face and a second child was treated for
other severe wounds.
More Dog-Related Incidents
In a recent incident in South Ozone Park, cops had to shoot a pit bull to get the dog to stop attacking a
12-year-old girl
And In January in San Francisco California, a woman was killed in an apartment hallway by a vicious
Rotweiller.
The dog’s owners now stand trial on murder and manslaughter charges.
Growing Trend?
Are dog attacks a growing trend?
Well, according to Health Department statistics there were 7,075 dog bites in New York City in 1997
and 1,000 complaints involving dogs.
That same year police and animal control authorities had to round up 892 biting dogs — 200 more
than the year before.
Of that amount, 33 percent were pit bulls or pit-bull mixes, though they make up only an estimated 15
percent of the city’s dogs.
Addressing The Situation
Councilman James Sanders told those in attendance at a Town Hall meeting in January that
incidents like the one that took place on the Rockaway Boardwalk should be taken seriously.
According to Sanders spokesperson Nick Moore, citizens complained of the stray dogs that are
usually located “in the same place, under the board walk and street corners.”
A Task Force being assembled to address the situation has plans for “bringing in city agencies in
charge to come up with a recovery to crack down and pick up the dogs before another attack,” and
has contacted Mayor Mike Bloomberg to inform him of the community problem.
“Some are stray dogs, some are unleashed, domesticated dogs whose owners allow them to leave
and return at night,” Moore stated. “We do not want another Newark attack, where the dog bit 14
different people before it was taken away.”
“There are a lot of stray dogs [in the Rockaways].” Community Board 14 District Manager Jonathan
Gaska said. “This [December 26th] was a vicious attack,” Gaska commented. “It was the first I can
recall in five years.”
Animal Instincts
Dog expert Anthony Jerone told the PRESS, “It’s a prey driven instinct in a dog that qualifies him to be
a leader.”
Jerone has trained dogs for 32 years and runs the Fresh Meadows-based Anthony Jerone's School
of Dog Training & Career Inc.
“The leader will chase anything that moves to investigate with curiosity,” he said. “The man attacked
in the Rockaways, was a jogger-and created a panic situation, by screaming, or waving his arms
because the dog views it as a threat and tried to kill the threat by reaching those moving objects, for
example arms,” Jerone added.
“It is important to maintain a heightened awareness of the animals around us and learn enough to
handle a situation if it occurs,” according to the Center for Animal Care and Control (CACC).
“There is no reason to lose your love for dogs or be frightened to go to a park or ride a bike,”CACC
Director for Shelter Operations Theresa Geary said.
“The leader will determine the level of threat it feels and instruct the pack to act appropriately, it is a
means of survival. In a household, dogs rely on the pack and humans become a part of that pack,
hopefully the human is the leader. The top dog in the house will have the first pick of toys and other
items, favorite sleeping areas or treats,” Geary added.
“If the leader of the pack feels threatened and the group of untrained dogs follows the leader, they will
attack as well,” Jerone said. “What I teach mail carriers to do is to walk away calmly, feed them the
mail,” Jerone said. “Prescribe words they are familiar with. No. Sit. These are usually words they are
familiar with,” Jerone said.
Another way to respond is to, “Play ‘possum. If you don’t look interesting enough, they will leave,”
Jerone said.
According to Jerone, “what they are teaching shark trainers now is to punch it in the nose, if it tries to
attack — the same applies to wild dogs.”
Training For Dogs And Owners
The Rotweiller dogs are called “the man stopper,” according to Jerone because they will “knock you
down, because they weigh 100 plus pounds and have 2, 800 pound bite per square inch,” while the
pit bull called the “ultimate gladiator,” is a “bone crusher with a 3,800 pound bite per square inch,”
Jerone noted for pet owners to be advised of what dog is bred for.
“The Presario Canario that killed the lady in California is like a gorilla, they are bred to heard cattle.
There are no cattle here. So now they’re looking for cattle and become a great puller, You [the owner]
end up being taken for a walk.” Jerone said.
Anthony Jerone's School of Dog Training & Career Inc. offers a free “Doggie Boot Camp” to dispel the
do’s and the don’ts for people and dogs. Half the battle is to train the dog, who has the mind of a
three year old child.” Jerone said.
“The other half of the battle is to train the owner, who has no idea what to do with the animal,” Jerone
said.
The best time to train a dog is when the dog is “between four and six months [in age] when the brain
is five percent matured. This way the dog can regress or progress in their character,” Jerone said.
“You know the saying, you are what you eat – the same applies to dogs. A lot of dogs aren’t
performing to standard and could be mentally and physically impaired because of poor eating habits.
They must be on a schedule – this information is a part of the package we offer.”
Chemical preservatives BHT and BHA found in certain dog food, “and some human food,” according
to Jerone, can cause, “tumors, ulcers and cancer, over the years. Read the labels,” Jerone advises.
“Choose the natural vitamin E preservative. Most dog food manufacturers do not like the vitamin E
preservative because it only has a shelf life of six months; the BHT and BHA make the food last for
one year.”
Beware Of Wild Dogs
The Center for Animal Care and Control (CACC) advises “Animals can behave differently with their
owners then when alone as a stray running lose. Some dogs may protect their owners or can be
friendlier without them. As a general rule when trying to determine how to behave when approached
by a stray dog it is important to remain calm, do not flail your arms or run unless chased and do not
look the dog in the eyes as that can be construed as a threat or a dominant act towards the dog.”
Most importantly, contact your nearest health care provider immediately,” if you are bitten by a dog,”
Geary said.
Getting Wild Animals Off The Street
Local animal rescue organizations in Queens service homeless dogs by providing the appropriate
shots, as well as shelter to prevent animal cruelty and testing.
Animal Haven is a shelter for these dogs located at 35-22 Prince Street in Flushing, while Queens
Shelter located at 92-29 Queens Blvd., in Rego Park. The organizations then look for adoptive parents
for the pets
Addressing The Growing Number
Of Dog Attacks
By Michelle Sellers
Is man’s best friend becoming our worst nightmare?
In recent weeks the news of dog attacks has made local and national headlines and has led many to
wonder why dog attacks are becoming more frequent. But what is really driving these animals to
injure and kill?
Recent Rash Of Attacks
In recent months dogs attacks have made headlines in Southeast Queens.
(Top) A Rotweiler – dubbed “the man stopper.” (Above) Animal trainer Anthony Jerone with one of his
“canine students.”
PRESS Photos By Ira Cohen
Late last year two people were brutally attacked while on a boardwalk in Rockaway.
It was early on the morning of Dec. 26 2001, when 74-year-old Lev Liberman decided to take a walk
along the Rockaway Boardwalk.
There he encountered a pack of five dogs that included a pit bull, two Rottweilers, and two mixed-
breed dogs.
The dogs attacked him and according to police accounts, Liberman was severely mauled before the
dogs attacked a second victim, jogger Marlene Fils-Aime of Arverne.
Liberman was left virtually unrecognizable form the attack and according to doctors his arm was
nearly ripped off by the vicious dogs.
Jamaica Attack
In October of 2000, a stray dog turned vicious at a Jamaica daycare center in attacking three children
and held a child clenched in its jaw as adults beat the dog with bricks and a metal pole.
The stray dog followed a woman into the day care center through an open door, according to police.
According to a neighbor, the dog was one of two that had roamed the neighborhood and harrased a
mother and a daughter earlier that day.
A two-year-old child was treated for severe lacerations to his face and a second child was treated for
other severe wounds.
More Dog-Related Incidents
In a recent incident in South Ozone Park, cops had to shoot a pit bull to get the dog to stop attacking a
12-year-old girl
And In January in San Francisco California, a woman was killed in an apartment hallway by a vicious
Rotweiller.
The dog’s owners now stand trial on murder and manslaughter charges.
Growing Trend?
Are dog attacks a growing trend?
Well, according to Health Department statistics there were 7,075 dog bites in New York City in 1997
and 1,000 complaints involving dogs.
That same year police and animal control authorities had to round up 892 biting dogs — 200 more
than the year before.
Of that amount, 33 percent were pit bulls or pit-bull mixes, though they make up only an estimated 15
percent of the city’s dogs.
Addressing The Situation
Councilman James Sanders told those in attendance at a Town Hall meeting in January that
incidents like the one that took place on the Rockaway Boardwalk should be taken seriously.
According to Sanders spokesperson Nick Moore, citizens complained of the stray dogs that are
usually located “in the same place, under the board walk and street corners.”
A Task Force being assembled to address the situation has plans for “bringing in city agencies in
charge to come up with a recovery to crack down and pick up the dogs before another attack,” and
has contacted Mayor Mike Bloomberg to inform him of the community problem.
“Some are stray dogs, some are unleashed, domesticated dogs whose owners allow them to leave
and return at night,” Moore stated. “We do not want another Newark attack, where the dog bit 14
different people before it was taken away.”
“There are a lot of stray dogs [in the Rockaways].” Community Board 14 District Manager Jonathan
Gaska said. “This [December 26th] was a vicious attack,” Gaska commented. “It was the first I can
recall in five years.”
Animal Instincts
Dog expert Anthony Jerone told the PRESS, “It’s a prey driven instinct in a dog that qualifies him to be
a leader.”
Jerone has trained dogs for 32 years and runs the Fresh Meadows-based Anthony Jerone's School
of Dog Training & Career Inc.
“The leader will chase anything that moves to investigate with curiosity,” he said. “The man attacked
in the Rockaways, was a jogger-and created a panic situation, by screaming, or waving his arms
because the dog views it as a threat and tried to kill the threat by reaching those moving objects, for
example arms,” Jerone added.
“It is important to maintain a heightened awareness of the animals around us and learn enough to
handle a situation if it occurs,” according to the Center for Animal Care and Control (CACC).
“There is no reason to lose your love for dogs or be frightened to go to a park or ride a bike,”CACC
Director for Shelter Operations Theresa Geary said.
“The leader will determine the level of threat it feels and instruct the pack to act appropriately, it is a
means of survival. In a household, dogs rely on the pack and humans become a part of that pack,
hopefully the human is the leader. The top dog in the house will have the first pick of toys and other
items, favorite sleeping areas or treats,” Geary added.
“If the leader of the pack feels threatened and the group of untrained dogs follows the leader, they will
attack as well,” Jerone said. “What I teach mail carriers to do is to walk away calmly, feed them the
mail,” Jerone said. “Prescribe words they are familiar with. No. Sit. These are usually words they are
familiar with,” Jerone said.
Another way to respond is to, “Play ‘possum. If you don’t look interesting enough, they will leave,”
Jerone said.
According to Jerone, “what they are teaching shark trainers now is to punch it in the nose, if it tries to
attack — the same applies to wild dogs.”
Training For Dogs And Owners
The Rotweiller dogs are called “the man stopper,” according to Jerone because they will “knock you
down, because they weigh 100 plus pounds and have 2, 800 pound bite per square inch,” while the
pit bull called the “ultimate gladiator,” is a “bone crusher with a 3,800 pound bite per square inch,”
Jerone noted for pet owners to be advised of what dog is bred for.
“The Presario Canario that killed the lady in California is like a gorilla, they are bred to heard cattle.
There are no cattle here. So now they’re looking for cattle and become a great puller, You [the owner]
end up being taken for a walk.” Jerone said.
Anthony Jerone's School of Dog Training & Career Inc. offers a free “Doggie Boot Camp” to dispel the
do’s and the don’ts for people and dogs. Half the battle is to train the dog, who has the mind of a
three year old child.” Jerone said.
“The other half of the battle is to train the owner, who has no idea what to do with the animal,” Jerone
said.
The best time to train a dog is when the dog is “between four and six months [in age] when the brain
is five percent matured. This way the dog can regress or progress in their character,” Jerone said.
“You know the saying, you are what you eat – the same applies to dogs. A lot of dogs aren’t
performing to standard and could be mentally and physically impaired because of poor eating habits.
They must be on a schedule – this information is a part of the package we offer.”
Chemical preservatives BHT and BHA found in certain dog food, “and some human food,” according
to Jerone, can cause, “tumors, ulcers and cancer, over the years. Read the labels,” Jerone advises.
“Choose the natural vitamin E preservative. Most dog food manufacturers do not like the vitamin E
preservative because it only has a shelf life of six months; the BHT and BHA make the food last for
one year.”
Beware Of Wild Dogs
The Center for Animal Care and Control (CACC) advises “Animals can behave differently with their
owners then when alone as a stray running lose. Some dogs may protect their owners or can be
friendlier without them. As a general rule when trying to determine how to behave when approached
by a stray dog it is important to remain calm, do not flail your arms or run unless chased and do not
look the dog in the eyes as that can be construed as a threat or a dominant act towards the dog.”
Most importantly, contact your nearest health care provider immediately,” if you are bitten by a dog,”
Geary said.
Getting Wild Animals Off The Street
Local animal rescue organizations in Queens service homeless dogs by providing the appropriate
shots, as well as shelter to prevent animal cruelty and testing.
Animal Haven is a shelter for these dogs located at 35-22 Prince Street in Flushing, while Queens
Shelter located at 92-29 Queens Blvd., in Rego Park. The organizations then look for adoptive parents
for the pets
| Anthony Jerone's School of Dog Training & Career Inc... |
