When Animals Attack

We were watching this show on television, about animals attacking humans.

The show talks about how wild animals - lions, deers etc who have been domesticated revert to their wild side and attacked humans. One particular scene was about a lion trainer who brought his lion for some publicity show. The lion freaked out at the strange and new environment and turned against his trainer and bit his legs refusing to let go. After the attack, the lion was shown dragging his trainer back to his 'den' - a place behind the backstage, away from the crowd. Frankly speaking, I don't blame the lion at all.

There were also scenes on dogs - rottweilers who were allowed loose in the neighbourhood and attacked a jogger. Again, I think it is the owner's fault. Rotties are breed to protect, and their prey drive is very strong. So, I think any owners who want to keep such breed have the responsibility to train them, and make sure the dog is under control at all times.

While watching the show, it reminded me of something that happened last night.

HC brought us along to her dinner appointment, and leashed us to her chair. There were a group of noisy and excitable caucasian kids around and they gathered near to pet us. HC and her friends warned the kids several times to stay away from Jack as he will bite. The kids said 'ok' but still continue to hang around Jack.

As you know, Jack has been 'domesticated' by HC long ago, and he has mellowed tremendously in the last few years. In fact, nowadays, he will allow strangers to pet him gently and likes to sit near humans. Also, HC is always on the alert and warned strangers not to pet Jack unneccessarily and be gentle when approaching him.

During the dinner last night, the kids continue to make a lot of noise, and I felt many many hands patting my head and touching my body. I am ok with it, but I wished I had the chance to run away. However, I can sense Jack feeling a bit cornered. Suddenly, one of the kids make a sudden movement towards Jack. Jack got angry, make a growling noise and tried to lunge at the kid. Luckily, the kid moved quickly away and Jack's leash was too short to reach her.

And HC's response? She merely said, "I told you so". And she didn't even reprimand Jack.

HC said she was getting pissed at the kids hovering around at our tables yelling non-stop, and that they didn't heed her advice about leaving us alone. Anyway, she said Jack has developed a bite inhibition nowadays and won't bite hard : he will only nip lightly and growl as a warning.

I wished humans should just let animals be. Do not disturb them unnecessarily and allow the animals their own space.

For a good read, I would like to recommend this article.