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NEWSDAY 1/22/2002
NEWSDAY
1/22/2002
QUEENS NEIGHBORHOODS
By Merle English
WINNING A DOGFIGHT
Experts speak of dealing with wild canines
Running is not the thing to do when confronted by wild dogs, an
animal behaviorist and an animal trainer said.
Anthony Jerone, who runs Anthony Jerone's School of Dog Training
& Career Inc. (or "Doggie Boot Camp") in Fresh Meadows, said the
jogger who was attacked by strays on the boardwalk in Far Rockaway
the day after Christmas became a moving target and "prey for
the pack-which included pit bulls, a rottweiler and two mixed breeds.
"When you have a pack of dogs, there's one leader. The leader
interpreted the jogger as prey, and when a dog has a prey drive, it will chase and apprehend," he
said.
"Sometimes when even non-aggressive dogs get into a pack they're almost like people when they
get into a mob," Jerone said.
Ukrainian immigrant Lev Liberman, 74, remains in stable but critical condition in the intensive care
unit of Staten Island University Hospital's Burn Center.
Marlene Filsaime, a passerby who tried to help him, also was hospitalized for injuries she
sustained. She was discharged from Jamaica Hospital Center recently.
Jerone, a city-and state-certified dog trainer, and Wes Artope, an animal behaviorist who is deputy
director of shelter operations at the city's Center for Animal Care and Control in Manhattan, both
acknowledged that it is easy to panic under a situation such as Liberman faced.
What you have to do is really concentrate and focus on what you're doing because you're terrified,"
Artope said.
"The best thing to do, in general, is to remain alert and try to avoid getting the dogs angrier than they
already are," he said.
Artope suggested turning sideways while backing off very slowly. "If you stand sideways and don't
seem to be confronting them, you're kind of less of a target," he said. "Don't make eye contact."
Don't run past dogs that look dangerous, Jerone advised. "If the dogs look menacing or are staring
at you or challenging you, a lot of dogs know the word 'No.' Walk away with arms folded and start
using words like 'No' and 'Sit' that dogs might be familiar with."
Do not try to wave the dogs away, Jerone said. "Shooing them away will incite them to attack," he
said.
"If the dogs are actually attacking you, if you can take off pieces of clothing or a hat, give that to
them," Artope recommended. "At worst, put up your hand so they won't attack your torso or neck,
which could put your life in danger."
If you fall, go into a fetal position, "Cover the face and play possum," Jerone said. "You're not
interesting any more, and maybe they will walk away from you."
Jerone suggested that joggers carry a stick for dogs to grab.
An attacking dog can be kneed in the chest, punched on the nose, or kicked in another sensitive
part of the body, Jerone said. "If you're bitten, get a tetanus shot immediately," he said.
Jerone believes the pack that attacked Liberman could be trained to socialize with people as well
as other dogs. He has volunteered to rehabilitate the dogs, which are under the jurisdiction of the
city Health Department. But the pack's fate won't be determined until the police complete their
investigation, a Health Department spokesman said.
The public can help prevent attacks, the Center for Animal Care and control maintained. "We have
leash laws in New York City," said Doris Meyer, a spokeswoman for the agency. "But some people
deliberately and customarily let their dogs out without a leash." Domesticated dogs can join packs.
Other people abandon their animals, Meyers said. And dog owners who fail to spay or neuter their
pets often contribute to the increase in the number of strays.
With only 13 city dogcatchers, the center is at a disadvantage. People tamper with humane traps the
agency sets, Meyers said, and agents are not allowed to remove wild dogs from private property.
Far Rockaway resident, Joe Guzzo said he has twice been attacked by dogs unleashed by their
owners, he said. "It's always been a problem" in the community, Guzzo said. "I brought it to the
attention of the authorities and they just pooh-poohed me."
The city is aware of the stray dog problem in the Rockaways, Meyers said. "We do more runs in the
Rockaways than any other place in Queens," she said. "Even if we had a van {there} full time it is
still possible they would not catch these dogs... because you cannot be everyplace."
Residents' concern about the dog attacks has prompted City Councilman James Sanders, Jr. to
plan a town meeting on the subject. The meeting will be held Thursday at St. John's Baptist Church,
74-05 Rockaway Beach Blvd., starting at 7 p.m.
1/22/2002
QUEENS NEIGHBORHOODS
By Merle English
WINNING A DOGFIGHT
Experts speak of dealing with wild canines
Running is not the thing to do when confronted by wild dogs, an
animal behaviorist and an animal trainer said.
Anthony Jerone, who runs Anthony Jerone's School of Dog Training
& Career Inc. (or "Doggie Boot Camp") in Fresh Meadows, said the
jogger who was attacked by strays on the boardwalk in Far Rockaway
the day after Christmas became a moving target and "prey for
the pack-which included pit bulls, a rottweiler and two mixed breeds.
"When you have a pack of dogs, there's one leader. The leader
interpreted the jogger as prey, and when a dog has a prey drive, it will chase and apprehend," he
said.
"Sometimes when even non-aggressive dogs get into a pack they're almost like people when they
get into a mob," Jerone said.
Ukrainian immigrant Lev Liberman, 74, remains in stable but critical condition in the intensive care
unit of Staten Island University Hospital's Burn Center.
Marlene Filsaime, a passerby who tried to help him, also was hospitalized for injuries she
sustained. She was discharged from Jamaica Hospital Center recently.
Jerone, a city-and state-certified dog trainer, and Wes Artope, an animal behaviorist who is deputy
director of shelter operations at the city's Center for Animal Care and Control in Manhattan, both
acknowledged that it is easy to panic under a situation such as Liberman faced.
What you have to do is really concentrate and focus on what you're doing because you're terrified,"
Artope said.
"The best thing to do, in general, is to remain alert and try to avoid getting the dogs angrier than they
already are," he said.
Artope suggested turning sideways while backing off very slowly. "If you stand sideways and don't
seem to be confronting them, you're kind of less of a target," he said. "Don't make eye contact."
Don't run past dogs that look dangerous, Jerone advised. "If the dogs look menacing or are staring
at you or challenging you, a lot of dogs know the word 'No.' Walk away with arms folded and start
using words like 'No' and 'Sit' that dogs might be familiar with."
Do not try to wave the dogs away, Jerone said. "Shooing them away will incite them to attack," he
said.
"If the dogs are actually attacking you, if you can take off pieces of clothing or a hat, give that to
them," Artope recommended. "At worst, put up your hand so they won't attack your torso or neck,
which could put your life in danger."
If you fall, go into a fetal position, "Cover the face and play possum," Jerone said. "You're not
interesting any more, and maybe they will walk away from you."
Jerone suggested that joggers carry a stick for dogs to grab.
An attacking dog can be kneed in the chest, punched on the nose, or kicked in another sensitive
part of the body, Jerone said. "If you're bitten, get a tetanus shot immediately," he said.
Jerone believes the pack that attacked Liberman could be trained to socialize with people as well
as other dogs. He has volunteered to rehabilitate the dogs, which are under the jurisdiction of the
city Health Department. But the pack's fate won't be determined until the police complete their
investigation, a Health Department spokesman said.
The public can help prevent attacks, the Center for Animal Care and control maintained. "We have
leash laws in New York City," said Doris Meyer, a spokeswoman for the agency. "But some people
deliberately and customarily let their dogs out without a leash." Domesticated dogs can join packs.
Other people abandon their animals, Meyers said. And dog owners who fail to spay or neuter their
pets often contribute to the increase in the number of strays.
With only 13 city dogcatchers, the center is at a disadvantage. People tamper with humane traps the
agency sets, Meyers said, and agents are not allowed to remove wild dogs from private property.
Far Rockaway resident, Joe Guzzo said he has twice been attacked by dogs unleashed by their
owners, he said. "It's always been a problem" in the community, Guzzo said. "I brought it to the
attention of the authorities and they just pooh-poohed me."
The city is aware of the stray dog problem in the Rockaways, Meyers said. "We do more runs in the
Rockaways than any other place in Queens," she said. "Even if we had a van {there} full time it is
still possible they would not catch these dogs... because you cannot be everyplace."
Residents' concern about the dog attacks has prompted City Councilman James Sanders, Jr. to
plan a town meeting on the subject. The meeting will be held Thursday at St. John's Baptist Church,
74-05 Rockaway Beach Blvd., starting at 7 p.m.
ANTHONY JERONE'S SCHOOL OF DOG TRAINING & CAREER INC.
