Lort Smith Animal Hospital is calling for dog owners to pay attention to their pets’ behaviour when interacting with other canines after an alarming spike in pets being treating for serious wounds inflicted during dog fights.

Lort Smith Chief Veterinarian, Dr Jessica Wilde, said the hospital had treated a significant number of dogs recently for injuries consistent with dog fights, ranging from minor puncture wounds through to severe trauma requiring surgery and intensive care.

‘’Some of the dogs presented with severe wounds — deep punctures, torn muscle, and serious blood loss. In one case, a dog presented with a fractured jaw and multiple broken teeth. A few required emergency surgery and intensive monitoring. Bite wounds, even when they look small, can be deceptively serious due to crushing injury and infection risk. In some cases, yes, the injuries were life-threatening without prompt veterinary intervention,’’ said Dr Wilde.

‘’Unfortunately there has been a noticeable increase in recent weeks. While we do see cases throughout the year, we’ve recently had a cluster of severe incidents in a very short period. That kind of spike is unusual and concerning, as it suggests more serious altercations are occurring within the community.

‘’There are likely a few factors at play. Warmer weather and longer daylight hours tend to bring more people and their dogs outdoors, increasing the chance of encounters in public spaces.’’

Dr Wilde said from a behavioural perspective, resource competition, stress, and miscommunication between dogs are common triggers.

‘’In many cases, these incidents are not about “aggression” in the classic sense but about poor social signalling or escalating arousal that isn’t interrupted early enough,’’ she said.

Lort Smith Animal Hospital has also warned against stereotyping dogs breeds.

‘’We do see a wide range of breeds involved – there isn’t a single “type.” Behavioural risk is far more closely linked to socialisation, training, environment, and owner management than breed alone. A small dog can be just as problematic as a big dog.’’

Dr Wilde said that numbers of dog fights are likely to increase if action wasn’t taken now.

‘’If awareness and prevention measures don’t improve there is a risk the numbers could continue to rise. As urban areas become denser and more dogs share space, the potential for conflict grows. However, with education and early behavioural support, most of these incidents are preventable.’’

 

Dog fights: FAQ

Where are the dog fights occurring to the best of our knowledge?

We’re seeing incidents both in public and private settings. Some occur in off-leash parks or during on-lead greetings. These are complex situations where stress, routine changes, or lack of early intervention can tip a normal interaction into a fight.

What can the general public do to prevent dog fights?

Dog fights are frightening and distressing for everyone involved, but they’re not inevitable. Most dogs don’t want to fight – they simply lack the skills or environment to avoid conflict. Early training, understanding canine body language, and appropriate socialisation go a long way toward prevention.

We also want to remind owners that seeking help early, whether through a vet or a qualified behaviour professional, can prevent one tense moment from turning into a serious incident.

How can we prevent this from continuing?

Prevention starts with education and awareness – recognising the warning signs of tension and knowing how to safely interrupt escalating behaviour. For dogs in the same household, structured routines, separate feeding areas, and supervision during high-arousal moments (like play or excitement) are key.

In public, owners should avoid on-lead greetings, use well-fitted harnesses, and watch for stress or over-arousal in their dogs. Importantly, getting help early – through a vet or behaviourist – can make a huge difference. Small changes in management can prevent serious harm and keep both dogs and people safe.

 

MEDIA INTERVIEWS & CONTACT

Suzana Talevski: Head of Media and Digital Content, Lort Smith
Mobile: 0403 047 945
Email: stalevski@lortsmith.com