Once a killer always a killer?

Question
A dog killed my cat of 17 years yesterday and then almost killed another neighborhood cat within the same hour. I am trying to have legal action taken against the owner for not containing the dog. I've heard that once a dog has the taste for blood that it will continue to kill. Is this true? If this dog gets loose again, what do you think the chances are of it harming another cat?

Answer
I'm very sorry about your cat. I think the "taste for blood" thing is a myth. But what is true is that most dogs are to a degree predators and many will chase small, furry, running creatures, just as it is natural for cats to kill rodents and birds. Depending on the dog, the chase may be enough, or it may end in the death of the animal being chased. Some breeds - terriers and hounds for instance - are bred to have the instict to dispatch prey, while others (herding dogs for example) want to control motion and are likely to have an inhibited drive to kill. But that's a general statement and varies from dog to dog.  Mine chase squirrels and rabbits - and if a stray cat comes into our fenced yard, they will chase the cat too, even though they pretty much ignore my cats in the house. If one of my cats was loose in the yard, I wouldn't guarantee that the cat wouldn't be chased (though, with my dogs, I doubt they would face the same fate as a slow bunny.) Still, I choose not to chance it, or chance my cats meeting up with a stray, or getting into the yard behind me with their dogs, so I have a safe, outdoor enclosure where they can play in the sun if they want to, but can't roam, and they are safe and the song birds are also safe.
Have you talked with the owner of the dog? It may have accidently gotten out, but you need to know whether it was an accident or negligence (allowing a predatory dog to roam). Since the dog has proven itself to be a cat killer, it's unlikely that it won't happen again if the dog is given access. Hunting is a self rewarding behavior, and without management, it probably will be repeated. If you find the owner of the dog is unsympathetic and unwilling to keep her dog up, I'd certainly be filing a complaint with your local Animal Control. Sandy Case BFA MEd CPDT www.positivelycanine.com