Five dogs attack woman in her kitchen almost killing her. Why?

An unprovoked attack by multiple dogs on a woman could be attributed to several potential factors. We are not told if the woman, Heidi, was the owner or was looking after the dogs for someone. Or if the dogs were seized and put down because they were dangerously out of control. It seems that technically Heidi might have been in charge of the dogs but someone else might have been there. We are not told about that either. She was very gravely injured almost losing her right leg plus many other serious wounds.

Heidi. Image: Channel 4.

Here are some potential reasons for the attack:

1. **Pack Mentality**: In a group, dogs can sometimes exhibit a pack mentality, where they may collectively engage in behaviour that they wouldn't normally display individually. Once one dog initiated aggression, the others might have followed suit.

2. **Dominance Issues**: If the dogs perceived the owner as weak or not in control, they might have challenged her position in the household hierarchy. This could lead to an aggressive assertion of dominance.

3. **Resource Guarding or Competition**: There could have been underlying tension among the dogs over resources like food, space, or attention, which escalated into aggression directed at the owner.

4. **Stress or Fear**: The dogs might have been experiencing stress, anxiety, or fear, which could have triggered an aggressive response. This could be due to environmental factors, lack of proper socialization, or previous negative experiences.

5. **Medical Issues**: One or more dogs might have been suffering from a medical condition that affected their behaviour, such as pain, neurological issues, or hormonal imbalances, leading to unpredictable aggression.

6. **Lack of Training or Leadership**: Without clear boundaries, training, and leadership from the owner, dogs may become confused or insecure, potentially leading to aggression as they try to assert control or deal with their uncertainty.

This tragic incident highlights the importance of understanding canine behavior, providing proper training, and ensuring a stable environment in multi-dog households.

In a home where there are five dogs if the owner is not the alpha dog can the five dogs get it into their mind to attack the owner?

While it's uncommon, in some cases, dogs in a multi-dog household can develop behaviors that may lead to aggression toward their owner, especially if there are issues related to hierarchy, dominance, or a lack of clear leadership. However, the idea that the owner not being the "alpha" automatically leads to an attack is more complex and nuanced.

Here are some factors to consider:

1. **Hierarchy and Leadership**: Dogs are social animals and often look for a leader, especially in a group setting. If the owner is not seen as the leader, or if there is confusion about the hierarchy within the pack, it can lead to instability and insecurity among the dogs. This could manifest in challenging behavior, but not necessarily an attack.

2. **Resource Guarding**: In some cases, dogs may become aggressive if they feel they need to compete for resources like food, toys, or attention. If the owner is perceived as a competitor rather than a provider or leader, this could potentially lead to aggressive behavior.

3. **Pack Mentality**: In a group, dogs can sometimes feed off each other's energy. If one dog becomes aggressive, others may follow suit. This is more likely to happen if the dogs are highly aroused or stressed, and the owner is not able to effectively intervene.

4. **Lack of Socialization or Training**: Dogs that are not properly socialized or trained may be more prone to aggressive behavior. In a group setting, poor behavior in one dog can influence the behavior of others.

5. **Fear or Stress**: Dogs may become aggressive out of fear or stress. If the owner inadvertently causes fear or stress in the dogs (through harsh discipline, for example), it could lead to defensive aggression.

To prevent such situations, it's crucial for the owner to establish themselves as a calm, confident leader through positive reinforcement training, setting clear boundaries, and ensuring each dog feels secure and knows their place within the household structure. Consulting with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist can be beneficial in managing a multi-dog household and preventing aggressive behavior.

P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. Also, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable.