Rottweiler attack in Lannach: Toddler seriously injured!

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A Rottweiler bit a toddler during a walk in Lannach. The boy was seriously injured and flown to hospital by helicopter. The responsible dog owner is reported.

Ein Rottweiler biss ein Kleinkind während eines Spaziergangs in Lannach. Der Junge wurde schwer verletzt und per Hubschrauber ins Krankenhaus geflogen. Der verantwortliche Hundebesitzer wird angezeigt.
A Rottweiler bit a toddler during a walk in Lannach. The boy was seriously injured and flown to hospital by helicopter. The responsible dog owner is reported.

Rottweiler attack in Lannach: Toddler seriously injured!

In a shocking incident, a toddler was bitten by a Rottweiler while out for a walk in Lannach (Deutschlandsberg district). The family, consisting of a 23-year-old father, his girlfriend, their ten-month-old son and other relatives, were out and about when the dog, which was led without a muzzle by a 67-year-old man from Graz, bit the child. The boy was immediately flown to the children's clinic at LKH Graz in a rescue helicopter. The dog's owner is now facing charges of negligent bodily harm, as exxpress.at reports.

Rottweilers are a breed of dog classified as medium to large in size and have their origins in Roman times. The dogs accompanied Roman legions and were used to defend people and livestock. Originally known as the “Rottweiler butcher dog,” they are now used as guard dogs, search and rescue dogs, and police dogs. According to Wikipedia, in 2024, Rottweilers became the eighth most popular dog breed in the United States.

Characteristics of the Rottweiler breed

Rottweilers have a distinctive double coat structure that is usually black with brown or mahogany markings. Male Rottweilers weigh between 50 and 60 kg, while females weigh between 35 and 48 kg. The breed's most common health problems are skin diseases and joint problems. Despite their positive use in various roles, Rottweilers are also known for their aggressive behavior towards strangers. They often show territorial behavior, which can lead to dangerous situations without prior warning signals.

Dog Bite Statistics and Prevention

Approximately 4.5 million people in the United States suffer dog bites annually, of which approximately 800,000 require medical care. Children are particularly often affected; they are often bitten by dogs they know well. Over 75 percent of incidents occur in familiar surroundings, mostly at home. The Petradar shows that many bites arise from defensive reactions, which are often triggered by fear, pain or overstimulation.

Preventive measures are crucial to prevent such incidents. This includes learning dog body language, training to promote respectful behavior towards animals and preparing dogs for encounters in public. These approaches can help better protect both children and dogs from dangerous situations.