The Hawaiian Humane Society appreciates any opportunity to highlight public awareness about how to prevent dog bites, and since the indictment of NFL star Michael Vick on dog-fighting charges, communities are highly sensitive to the issues around dangerous dogs.

Susan Marshall, the attorney for the family of the 1-year old boy who was killed on Kaua'i in 2004 when he was attacked by a dog, got it right: The dog wasn't bad. People create dangerous dogs — whether it's intentionally training them to be aggressive, or chaining them in the yard their entire lives with little or no social contact.

For most of us, our pets are part of our 'ohana. They live inside loving homes, share meals with us and are our companions for life. But some people think that dogs belong outside, kept under control and tied up so they can't escape the yard or dig up the lawn. Others — unable to cope with behavioral issues — relegate dogs to life on a chain or keep them locked up outside to protect the property.

For these people, and other potential dog owners, it's important to remember that chaining dogs for long periods of time is not only inhumane, it poses a safety risk to our communities.

Dogs are naturally social beings that thrive on interaction with human beings and other animals. To become well-adjusted companion animals, dogs should interact regularly with people and other animals and receive regular exercise.

Chained dogs become highly aggressive and naturally feel protective of their territory. When confronted with a perceived threat, they respond according to their fight-or-flight instinct. A chained dog, unable to take flight, often feels forced to fight, attacking any unfamiliar animal or person who unwittingly wanders into his or her territory.

The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association reported that 17 percent of dogs involved in fatal attacks on humans were restrained on their owners' property at the time of the attack. A chained dog that finally does get loose may remain aggressive and is likely to chase and attack unsuspecting passersby and pets.

As part of the Humane Society's ongoing review of dangerous dog complaints, our investigators now document critical factors that play a role in predetermining a dog's propensity to bite, including the dog's physical environment and confinement, socialization with the family and other animals, sterilization, medical and behavioral health, daily exercise, and training.

Statistically, dogs that bite are more often unneutered, unsocialized, male dogs that have been chained their entire lives.

Many are quick to point out the dangers of specific breeds, but this is wrong. A dog's breed should not be considered in determining whether or not a dog is more inclined to bite or pose a threat.

The Humane Society will be embarking on a public campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of chaining, the needs of dogs that spend time tied up outdoors, and what communities can do to get our dogs off of those chains. We believe our island dogs deserve better.

For more information, go to www.hawaiianhumane.org or call 946-2187.

Pamela Burns is CEO and president of the Hawaiian Humane Society. She wrote this commentary for The Advertiser.