Are Huskies Dangerous?

In February 2014, a 10-year-old girl was waiting at the school bus stop outside her home. A loose husky, Ollie, had escaped from his yard, and she was petting him when he attacked. The girl sustained two serious bites on her face. She was fortunate to survive. Not always considered an aggressive breed, Siberian Huskies have engaged in fatal attacks. In fact, they kill, on average, one person per year in the US. Evidence indicates that most husky fatalities were of newborns and babies.

If you or your child suffered injuries due to a Husky bite, speak with a dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. 

Dog Bite Statistics, In General

Before looking at the role huskies play in dog bites, it’s important to understand how widespread the problem of dog bites is and how serious the related injuries tend to be.

• Every day, about 1,000 people in the US will be admitted to various emergency rooms around the country due to serious dog bites. 
• According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, about 27,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery due to dog bites in one year.
• Since the 1980s, fatal dog attacks involving more than one dog have increased by 164%. Thirty-eight percent of dog bite deaths in a recent year were caused by a group of dogs.  
• Adults with multiple dogs living in their homes are 5x more likely to be victims of dog bites.
• Over 12,000 people are hospitalized every year in the US due to dog bites.
• Throughout the US, between 4 and 5 million dog bites occur annually. Twenty-five percent of those bites become infected. 
• Babies and toddlers were most likely to be killed by dogs.
• Poor animal shelter management led to four fatal dog attacks in 2019 alone.
• Over the past decade, the typical cost per dog bite claim across the US rose over 130%. A typical dog bite hospitalization costs $18,000. This figure is 50% more than other injury-related hospitalizations.
• Rescued dogs only inflict 14% of dog attack deaths. While this number sounds low, it is up 600% from previous years. 
• Over half of dog attacks involved the family dog attacking a member of its own family.
• The Journal of the American Medical Association says that those who are victims of dog attacks lose between $1-$2 billion yearly (damaged property, medical bills, lost wages).
• Between 1993 and 2008, the rate of dog bite hospitalizations in the US rose 86%.
• Sixty-seven percent of children attacked by dogs were not with their parents when the attacks occurred.
• Women and girls are most likely to be victims of fatal dog bites. Of the dog bite fatalities in which the dog killed its owner, 80% were females aged 28 to 64.
• Rural areas experience 4x more dog bite emergency room visits than urban areas.
• Twenty percent of those who lose a loved one due to a dog attack fatality file criminal charges against the dog’s owner.

Dog bites are a huge issue that is often swept under the rug and minimized. What role do huskies play in the growing dog bite epidemic?

Siberian Husky Background

Siberian sled dogs (“huskies”) are wolf ancestors, originating from the Siberian tribe, Chukchi. They were bred as family dogs and slept with their families to provide warmth at night. They arrived in the US in 1908 to help with the Alaskan gold rush. Huskies were also used by the army in World War II for search and rescue missions in the Arctic (locating and extracting downed pilots). They grew in popularity after 1925, when they famously delivered vaccines for a diphtheria outbreak in Nome, AK. The weather was so bad in Nome that year that cars and planes could not reach the town. 

Huskies are pack dogs. The term “pack dog” means that a certain breed is more comfortable in a team or family-type dynamic. The other element that arises from a pack mentality, which huskies have, is the need for the pack to have a definitive leader. The owner must step into this role if the husky is to be obedient. This means a husky owner must be firm, consistent, and take charge. If the husky does not respect the supposed “pack leader” (owner), training them will be impossible.

Husky Characteristics

Here are some traits and qualities associated with the Siberian Husky dog breed:

• The typical male husky is 21”-23.5” tall and weighs 45-60 pounds. The typical female husky is 20”-22” tall and weighs 35-50 pounds.
• Because of their thick fur, huskies shed more than most dogs.
• Huskies live longer than other dog breeds typically (12-15 years).
• Known for being difficult to train, huskies are not “people pleasers” who try to impress their owners.
• It’s not uncommon for huskies to have different colored eyes—usually one brown, one blue.
• Huskies are not known for barking a lot. Because they are descended from wolves, though, they do love to howl.
• Huskies generally prefer to sleep on top of their dog houses so they can keep a watch out. Husky owners should get flat-roofed dog houses and place them away from fences to avoid the flat roof being a stepping stone to escape.
• These well-known escape artists dig under fences, jump over fences, and free themselves from their kennels.
• They have fur between their toes to keep their feet warm in snow and ice. It also helps prevent sliding on these slippery surfaces.

When Siberian Huskies Get Aggressive

On October 21, 2022, a 5-year-old boy in Sandy, UT, received over 2,000 stitches when a husky drug him across the street and mauled him. Mason Mihlberger, whose stitches had to be done layer-by-layer, was riding his bike when the unprovoked attack occurred. If Mason’s parents had not been standing right by their son when the incident occurred, they believe their son would be dead. They had to endure watching the husky toss their son around before the attack could be stopped. 

Mason’s mom had to kick the dog as hard as she could three times before the dog released her son. Even after that, the husky continued to growl and snarl at the family as they waited for help to arrive. Mason had to undergo reconstructive surgery on his face and ear, as well as a skin graft to his ear. It is unknown whether the dog’s owner faced criminal charges.

These are signs of aggression in dogs:

• Baring their teeth
• Growling
• Biting, nipping
• Raising their fur

The Centers for Disease Control report that huskies are not among the five deadliest dog breeds. Statistics show that huskies are only responsible for about one fatal attack per year. For example, in the time period in which pit bulls and rottweilers kill 100 people, huskies only kill 6. Known for being terrible guard dogs, huskies were actually shown to be the least aggressive breed towards strangers, according to Applied Animal Behaviour Science Journal. 

This does not mean that huskies are a good breed to be around children, though. They are big, highly active, lively dogs that can inadvertently hurt children without any overt aggression being displayed.

Aggression is not natural to huskies per se. It’s rare to see them engaged in any of the above behaviors, male or female. Aggression in dogs tends to come from their individual personality, their environment, their genetics, how they were trained (or not), and how they’ve been socialized (or not). For example, huskies that receive positive reinforcement and encouragement and structured, consistent discipline are less likely to attack. Huskies also can become aggressive when they are afraid or territorial.

Huskies Are Blacklisted from Some Homeowners Insurance Coverage

In 2022, according to the Insurance Information Institute, insurance companies paid out over one billion dollars for dog bite injury claims brought against homeowner’s policies. These 12 dog breeds are considered by insurance companies to be more dangerous than other breeds. They have been banned from coverage by most homeowners insurance policies.

• Siberian Huskies
• Pitbulls
• Rottweilers
• German Shepherds
• Doberman Pinschers
• Akitas
• Wolf breeds
• Great Danes
• Alaskan Malamutes
• Chow Chows
• Staffordshire Terriers
• Presa Canarios

Dog breeds are added to this list based on their bite frequency. A breed’s bite rate is difficult to establish accurately. While crime reports do show huskies do indeed attack, sometimes even fatally, research does not necessarily support that huskies have higher than average bite frequencies. Considering that the average dog bite case settles for $50,000, owners of these dangerous breeds need to be very careful and ensure their dogs are well-trained.

Are Huskies Likely to Attack Other Dogs?

Huskies do not generally show aggression towards other dogs. Because of their pack mentality, huskies are unlikely to see other dogs as a threat. However, huskies do have what’s called a “high prey drive.” Remember, those harsh Siberian conditions left a strong imprint in their DNA. Food was scarce as this breed was being developed. In a century, that mentality isn’t going to just die out in the husky. This means they are very interested in killing anything that could be seen as prey – in other words, they are predatory in nature. 

A high prey drive also refers to keeping their eyes constantly on any potential prey, even if it is pretty far away. Prey for a husky is going to be anything it thinks it could kill—usually a smaller dog, squirrel, bird, rabbit, cat, or anything around this size. This could explain why huskies seem to attack babies more than adults. Whether huskies have a need to establish dominance is unknown.

Victims of Fatal Husky Bites Are Often Infants

Two specific examples of husky bite fatalities have been reported. Sadly, in both cases, the victims are infants. In the first instance, a husky in Independence, MO, attacked a baby who was strapped into a car seat in a car. From the news reports, it appears as though the baby was left unattended in the car with the husky. The dog had no history of violence.

In the next incident, a female husky escaped from her crate and killed a two-day-old baby who was crying in Alberta, Canada, in 2012. The dog had specifically been locked in her crate to prevent such a tragedy. After escaping, the dog bit the crying baby just once in the head. The bite was not severe, but it was enough to kill the newborn. It is unknown where the parents were when the attack occurred. Huskies are not known to “steal babies,” but, again, they can be predatory.

Female Siberian Huskies in Heat

Female huskies who have not been spayed (meaning they can still get pregnant) will go into heat periodically. Any animal in heat will show noticeable behavioral differences, which can include aggression. A female husky in heat can also be more irritable. This means female huskies may be more dangerous and more likely to attack when they are in heat. Spayed huskies will experience fewer hormonal surges and are generally easier to deal with.

Food Aggression in Huskies

Sometimes dogs get aggressive at feeding time, trying to protect their food. Occasionally huskies will show signs of food aggression. Indicators of food aggression include guarding their food bowl, stiffness and tension in their posture, snapping, and growling. It’s important to be aware of these behaviors to intervene appropriately. To combat food aggression, try the following techniques:

• Establish a designated feeding area where the husky can eat without being disturbed. Your feeding area should keep multiple dogs separated from one another.
• Make sure your demeanor is relaxed during feeding time. You are the leader of the pack in the husky’s mind. If you are calm, a lot of that calmness will carry over to your dog.
• Reward your husky when they remain non-aggressive during feeding time.
• Gradually come closer to your dog while they are eating. You might start by simply standing or sitting 15 feet away and remaining quiet and still as your husky eats. At each feeding, move a bit closer until, eventually, your dog will let you touch its food bowl. You can also have other people around during feeding time. Remember, your husky needs positive reinforcement for a job well done.
• Teach your husky the “drop it” command. This command is useful in managing any aggressive behavior you may observe during feeding time. Commanding your dog to “drop it” can also be a way to simply re-focus their attention and “reset” if an incident occurs at mealtime. 

Husky Aggression Triggers to Watch For

If you notice any of these signs in a husky, it’s time to bring in a professional dog trainer and ensure that no children are going to be near the dog in question. In addition to a female dog in heat, as mentioned above, these are the warning signs to look for:

• Medical problems in a dog can be an indicator that their behavior could erupt into violence unexpectedly. Even something as minor as a thorn in their paw or a skin rash could lead to an aggressive outburst. Always spay & neuter your dogs and make sure to take them in for regular check-ups with the vet.
• A dog who is never around people is dangerous. For example, if your neighbor keeps their husky chained up in the backyard. You notice the husky never gets played with, walked, or bathed. These are all signs that the dog is not well-socialized. These are clues that the dog in question could get violent. Leaving a husky alone or confined for a long time causes them to become anxious and, because of their intelligence and high energy, could lead to them escaping.
• Putting a dog into a scary situation can result in a violent, unexpected reaction. If a dog needs to be given an injection, transported in a small space or is having puppies, these are the types of scary, unfamiliar things that might lead to an outburst of violence. While it might not seem scary or threatening to us to move to another house, bring a baby home from the hospital, or have someone new move in with us, dogs can react poorly to these changes.
• Resource guarding is another warning sign. In addition to food aggression, huskies can get violent when it comes to protecting their bed, their toys, or some other cherished belonging. This is closely related to territorialism.
• Territorialism is another way dogs protect what they perceive to be “theirs.” The front yard could be theirs, in their mind. Dogs that feel the need to spray a bit of urine everywhere are not just “relieving themselves;” they are marking territory. Dogs that have a tendency to act like this are more likely to aggressively defend “their territory.”

Improper Housing for Huskies

Another thing that can cause huskies to attack is inadequate housing. Huskies should be contained or restrained all the time due to their high energy, fearlessness, and penchant for escapism. This seems sad to some pet owners, not being able to let their “fur babies” run free and do as they please. All of the examples of real husky attacks that we’ve looked at in this article involve, on some level, the owner not understanding the correct needs of their dogs. They underestimated their husky’s ability to run away when bored, underestimated their husky’s predatory nature, and so on. There is no excuse for this. 

Siberian Huskies require a house with a yard, a six-foot fence around all four sides of the yard, and that the fence be buried at least one foot deep into the ground. Experts also recommend that the buried part of the fence be overlaid with chicken wire. Very few people would have a house that is “turn-key” for a husky to move into. Essentially anyone who adopts a husky is going to need to make some expensive and time-consuming adjustments to their property. No research is available on how many husky owners actually set up the right environment for their dogs, but, more likely than not, it’s very few.

Lack of Sufficient Exercise and Activity

One study shows that twenty-two percent of dog owners do not walk their dogs. Another study ambiguously reports that somewhere between 30-70% of dog owners do not walk their dogs. Yet another survey reported 40% of dogs never get walked. If everyone walked their dogs at least once a day, there would be 65 million people out taking walks around their neighborhoods daily. Most of us never see more than a handful of people out walking their dogs. 

Just like most husky owners do not have adequate housing for their dogs, they are also not providing sufficient exercise. Again, Siberian Huskies are very high-energy dogs. Daily exercise is not optional for them. When they are not properly “tired out” and stimulated, the excess energy they feel will motivate them to escape and take care of their own need to run around. 

Dogs used to travel 100 miles per day looking for food (that’s running 5-6 miles per hour for 18 hours in one day). An average dog needs at least 20-30 minutes of vigorous physical activity every day as a bare minimum. Just like in humans, dogs need exercise to improve their moods as well—this includes playing catch, running, hiking, swimming, or using puzzle toys.

Reach Out To a New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer Today!

“Man’s best friend” is among the top three deadliest animals in the world, and of those, huskies are one of the deadliest breeds. When you suffer a dog bite, if you hold the owner accountable and seek out the financial compensation you need, you are helping keep the community safe. More likely than not, the next person that husky attacks will be a child. 

Let’s prevent that child from needing facial reconstruction or worse. 

We are the New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyers! Let us seek justice for you and prevent future dog bite attacks. Dog bites are the only kind of cases we handle, so we know them inside and out. Our New Jersey attorneys can be reached at (866) 259-4377 or via our web contact form.