Q&A: What to do about dangerous dogs in London

London City Council has approved a review of municipal rules that could change how dogs with behaviour problems are monitored and controlled. It's in response to a petition from a Londoner who was disappointed with the penalties issued against the owner of a German Shepherd that she says killed her Chihuahua earlier this year.

Among the options being considered are mandatory training and muzzling, microchipping, and even a public registry for dogs deemed dangerous.

For more, London Morning host Andrew Brown spoke with Michelle Black-Sullivan, a certified dog behaviour consultant and founder of PAWSitively Happy Home.

The following has been edited for length and clarity:

Andrew Brown: So what did you think when you heard that City Council would be reviewing the rules?

Michelle Black-Sullivan: I think it's really important that we have good safety rules and guidelines around dogs—especially those who may pose a threat to the community. It can be a good idea if it's done appropriately and with consultation.

AB: So, as you see it, what could make a dog dangerous?

MBS: A dangerous dog would be one who has proven to cause harm to people or other dogs, and can't be adequately managed by their owner or household. Particularly those that bite in circumstances that don't warrant it.

AB: You mentioned biting. What kind of behaviour do you notice in dangerous dogs?

MBS: Biting is the main one. Some dogs may show behaviours that look uncertain but aren't necessarily dangerous. A dangerous dog is one that bites in situations where it shouldn't—like someone simply walking by with their dog, or someone trying to pet a dog. Ideally, dogs shouldn't bite people who are just existing in the community—children riding bikes, neighbours passing by. If a dog escalates to biting in those situations and the owner can't manage them, that's when we see real concern.

AB: What's your sense of how many dangerous dogs are out there?

MBS: I wouldn't say there are that many. We do work with dogs that bite—that's one of our specialties—but it's not the majority. There are certainly dogs that need extra management, and enough that it's a community concern, but it's not like they're running rampant.

AB: So what do you think of these ideas, like muzzling and microchipping?

MBS: I think they're great. Muzzling is really effective, and London already has some muzzle orders in place. Muzzles can protect both the community and the dog, and they also signal to others that a dog needs space. With proper training, dogs can be very comfortable wearing muzzles.

As for microchipping, it's a small chip placed under the dog's skin that can be scanned at a vet clinic, animal control, or the Humane Society. It provides the owner's information if a collar is lost, and in the case of dangerous dogs, it helps keep track of who the dog belongs to.

LISTEN | Dangerous dogs, training and public education on London Morning:

AB: Are there any other measures you think would be effective?

MBS: Community education and outreach are the most important. People need to learn how to interact with dogs and read their body language. Owners need to understand the signals their dogs are giving. That's the number one way to prevent bites.

Also, the city needs to ensure people understand the current laws around reporting dog bites. I think many bites go unreported because people fear a catastrophic outcome for the dog, but reporting helps ensure proper records and that dogs are being responsibly managed.

AB: I know a lot of people are nervous about certain breeds—pit bulls, Rottweilers. I mentioned a German shepherd in the introduction. Are some breeds more dangerous than others?

MBS: No, not at all. Dangerous dog designations should be behaviour-based, not breed-based. Every breed has variation—you can have friendly German shepherds and unfriendly ones, same with Golden Retrievers. It's about the individual dog and its circumstances, not the breed.

AB: When a grown dog bites in unusual circumstances, can that behaviour be trained out of them?

MBS: It depends on the individual dog. Dogs that escalate to biting in mundane situations are harder to manage, which is why muzzles are such a useful tool. It's a combination of managing the dog, training them to be more comfortable with triggers, and educating owners on how to read body language.

Owners often think a bite came "out of nowhere," but usually the dog has been showing signals of discomfort long before. Learning to recognize those signs is key.

AB: What kind of body language should we watch for?

MBS: Look for avoidance—tail tucked, tension in the face, ears pinned back. Growling and snarling are obvious red flags, but even lunging or barking as a way to make you move away is a signal. When dogs show they want space, we should respect that.