Dog Bite | Animal Behavior Expert Witness

Richard H. Polsky, Ph.D. CDBC
Los Angeles, California

“Bringing the science of animal behavior to attorneys”

Animal behavior expert on dog bite attacks

Richard H. Polsky, Ph.D. CDBC
Los Angeles, California

“Bringing the science of animal behavior to attorneys”

Curriculum vitae

Education

  • 1970. B.Sc.  The Ohio State University. Area of Specialization: Dog bite expert witnessBiopsychology
  • 1975.  Ph.D. University of Leicester, Dept. Psychology, Leicester, England. Area of Specialization: Animal Behavior
  • 1977-1979. Postdoctoral studies at University of California, Los Angeles
    Area of Specialization:  Animal Behavior

Awards & honors

  • 1977-1978  Postdoctoral Fellowship, Brain Research Institute, UCLA.
  • 1979 National Research Service Award, National Institute of Mental Health.

Academic employment

  • 1974-1976.  Research Associate in Animal Behavior. Joint appointments in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham England and the Ethology Laboratory, All Saints Hospital, Birmingham, England.
  • 1979-1982.  Research Psychologist in Animal Behavior. Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles.

Non-academic employment

  • 1981-present.  President, Animal Behavior Counseling Services, Los Angeles, CA.
  • 1997-1998. Staff animal behaviorist, Los Feliz Animal Hospital, Los Angeles, CA.

Teaching experience

  • 1972-1973. Teaching Assistant, Undergraduate Animal Behavior Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Leicester
  • 1983 – 1986. Instructor – South Bay Adult School, Redondo Beach, CA.
  • 1992. Instructor. Home Study Program in Behavioral Modification for Dog and Cats. Approved for continuing education course for credit for veterinarians by the California Veterinary Medical Association

Professional Societies

  • 1977 – present.  Animal Behavior Society
  • 2014 – present.  International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

Professional certification

Presentations at scientific meetings

  • Factors Associated With Treatment Outcome in Dogs Presented With Behavioral Problems. Conference on the Human-Animal Bond, Irvine, CA. June 1983.
  • Variables Affecting Treatment Outcome in Dogs Presented for Behavioral Problems. Annual Meeting of the Animal Behavior Society, Durham, NC. June 1985.
  • Use of Punishment and Counter-Conditioning Techniques to Eliminate Obsessive Tail-Chasing in a Dog. Annual Meeting of the Animal Behavior Society, Davis, CA. July 1993.
  • Aggression in dogs elicited through the use of electronic boundary training equipment. Interdisciplinary Forum in Applied Animal Behavior, Denver, CO. March 1998.
  • Behavioral differences in puppies as measured in self-report data from their owners. Interdisciplinary Forum in Applied Animal Behavior. Atlanta, GA. March 1999.
  • The differential diagnosis of aggression in dogs elicited through the use of electronic pet containment systems. Annual Meeting of the Animal Behavior Society. Atlanta, GA. August 2000.
  • Issues relevant to the animal behavior forensic expert as exemplified in the San Francisco dog mauling case. Interdisciplinary Forum in Applied Animal Behavior. Austin, TX. February 2003.
  • What kind of information is needed to substantiate a dog bite injury? Interdisciplinary Forum in Applied Animal Behavior, New Orleans, LA. March 2011.
  • Police K-9 attacks on innocent bystanders. Annual Meeting of the Animal Behavior Society. Denver, Colorado. July 2013
  • Animal behavior science and the inherently dangerous nature of attack trained police K-9s. Annual Meeting of the Animal Behavior Society. August 2021. (Virtual meeting due to Covid 19).

Speaking engagements

  • Guide Dogs of America, Sylmar, CA. 1985. Presentation: “Understanding canine social development as it applies to the guide dog.”
  • Southern California Alaskan malamute club, 1983.  
  • Los Angeles SPCA. Presentation: “Canine social behavior and problem-solving techniques.” 1987
  • Southern California Korean Veterinary Medical Association. Presentation: “Diagnosis and treatment of aggressive behavioral problems in dogs and cats.”  1992
  • Southern California Veterinary Medical Association. (Approximately 15 lectures on dog and cat behavior presented at veterinary chapter meetings).
  • Invited Speaker, Annual Meeting of the Sacramento Valley Veterinary Medical Association, Sacramento, CA. 1991. Presentation: “The scientific basis of dog and cat behavior.”
  • Invited Speaker, Law Offices of Bollington, Stilz, Bloeser & Curry (In-house counsel for 20th Century Insurance Co. Woodland Hills, CA.). Presentation: “What the Attorney Needs to Know to Defend Dog Related Injury Claims”.  October 1996.
  • Law Offices of Thomas Moore & Associates (In-house counsel for Allstate Insurance Co. Glendale, CA.). Presentation: “What the Attorney Needs to Know to Defend Dog Related Injury Claims.”  April 1997.
  • VCA-Wes Los Angeles Veterinary Medical Group. Introductory lecture on companion animal behavior presented to incoming veterinary student interns,1989 – 2000.
  • 19th Annual Feline Medicine Symposium. School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis. Presentation: “Inappropriate elimination and aggression in cats.” February 2001.
  • San Fernando Valley Chapter of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association. February 2001. Presentation: “Diagnosis and treatment of aggressive behavior problems in cats.”
  • Kern County Paralegal Association. Presentation: “Recurrent Behavioral Issues in Dog Attack Cases.” January 2003
  • Law Offices of Veatch, Carlson, Grogan & Nelson. Presentation: “Behavioral issues in dog bite litigation as exemplified through three case histories.” February 2003.

Expert Witness Work

1993 – present. Retained by attorneys, housing authorities, municipalities, and dog owners on hundreds of occasions for consultation, report writing, testimony, temperament evaluation and property inspections.  Testimonials

Miscellaneous professional activities

  • Paid consultant in animal behavior to the Los Angeles City Dept. of Animal Regulation, 1987, 1999.
  • Paid consultant in animal behavior to the Los Angeles SPCA, 1990, 1992
  • Publisher of a newsletter on animal behavior for distribution to veterinarians – Bulletin on Companion Animal Behavior. Published quarterly from 1988 – 1992.
  • 1997 – 2002. Renamed subsequently to Literature Review on Dog and Cat Behavior.
  • Publisher of a newsletter entitled Dog Behavior and the Law. Published for occasional distribution to attorneys. 1997 – 2001, 2010 – 2012
  • Expert witness on the Judge Judy Show, Dr. Polsky rendered testimony in a custody dispute over a dog. May 1998.
  • Paid consultant in animal behavior for television show produced and aired by Fox Television. “When Good Animals Do Bad Things”, September 1998.
  • Editorial consultant/reviewer of manuscripts for veterinary textbook publisher Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD. December 2000.
  • Certified evaluator for the American Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Test, 2003 – 2004.

Authored books

Published papers   (partial listings)

  • Polsky, R. Effects of a novel environment on predatory behavior in golden hamsters. Perceptual & Motor Skills, 1974, Vol. 39, pp. 55-58.
  • Polsky, R. Hunger, prey feeding, and predatory aggression. Behavioral Biology, 1975, Vol. 13, 81-93.
  • Polsky, R. Developmental factors in mammalian predation. Behavioral Biology, 1975, Vol. 15, pp. 353-382.
  • Polsky, R. Conspecific defeat, isolation/grouping, and predatory behavior in golden hamsters. Psychological Reports, 1976, Vol. 38, pp. 571-577.
  • Polsky, R. The ontogeny of predatory behavior in the golden hamster (M.a.auratus). The influence of age and experience. Behaviour, 1977, Vol. 61, pp. 26-46.
  • Polsky, R. The ontogeny of predatory behavior in the golden hamster. The nature of the experience. Behaviour, 1977, Vol. 61, pp.58-81.
  • Polsky, R. The ontogeny of predatory behavior in the golden hamster. Sensory pre-exposure. Behaviour, 1978, Vol. 63, pp. 175-190.
  • Polsky, R. The ontogeny of predatory behavior in the golden hamster. Effects of prolonged exposure, ITI, size of prey, and selective breeding. Behaviour, 1978, Vol. 65, pp. 27-42.
  • Polsky, R. Effects of eating dead prey on the subsequent capture of live prey in golden hamsters. Physiology & Behavior, 1978, Vol. 20, pp. 677-680.
  • Polsky, R. The effects of water deprivation on the initiation of predation in golden hamsters. Psychological Reports, 1979, Vol. 44, pp. 995-998.
  • Polsky, R. Review of “Crowding: Theoretical and Research Implications for Population-Environment Psychology.” by L. Severy, Ed. J. Nervous Mental Disease. 1981, Vol. 169, pp. 66-67.
  • McGuire, M., S. Essock-Vitale and R. Polsky. Psychiatric disorders in the context of evolutionary biology: An ethological model of behavioral changes associated with psychiatric disorders. J. Nervous Mental Disease. 1981, Vol. 169. pp. 687-704.
  • Polsky, R. Factors Influencing Aggressive Behavior in Dogs. California Veterinarian, October 1983, pp. 12-15.
  • Polsky, R. Understanding the Job of the Animal Behaviorist. The Latham Letter, Fall, 1985, pp. 12-13.
  • Polsky, R. Companion Animal Behavior from the Viewpoint of an Ethologist. Companion Animal Practice, 1989, Vol. 19, pp. 3-4.
  • Polsky, R. Aggression in Dogs: An Introduction.Veterinary Practice Staff. 1989, Vol. 1, pp. 55-57.
  • Polsky, R. Nature versus Nurture: Are Both Equally Crucial? Animal Behavior Consultant Newsletter. 1989, Vol. 6. pp. 1-2.
  • Polsky, R. Aggression in Cats: An Introduction. Veterinary Practice Staff. 1990, Vol. 2, No. 1. pp. 1-7.
  • Polsky, R. The Causes of Aggression in Dogs. Veterinary Practice Staff. 1990, Vol. 2, No. 2. pp. 37-39.
  • Polsky, R. Aggression in the Veterinary Hospital. Veterinary Practice Staff. 1990, Vol. 2, No.3. 27-29.
  • Polsky, R. Behavioral Alternatives to Declawing. Veterinary Practice Staff. 1990, Vol. 2, No.4. 27-30.
  • Polsky, R. Another Look at Nature vs Nurture: Problem dogs or problem owners? Veterinary Practice Staff. 1990, Vol.2, pp. 7-10.
  • Polsky, R. A Question of Labels. American Kennel Club Gazette. Oct. 1990. p. 216.
  • Polsky, R. Elimination Problems in Cats: Making a Diagnosis. Veterinary Practice Staff. 1990, Vol. 2, pp. 21-23.
  • Polsky, R. Elimination Misbehaviors in Puppies. Veterinary Practice Staff. 1991, Vol. 3. No.1. pp. 20-22.
  • Polsky, R. Examples of fear aggression and territorial barking in companion dogs. Veterinary Practice Staff. 1991, Vol. 3, No.2. pp. 1, 7-10.
  • Polsky, R. Genetics, and dog behavior. Veterinary Practice Staff. 1991, Vol. 3, No.3. pp. 22-24.
  • Polsky, R. Time-Out: An underemployed punishment training technique for puppies. Veterinary Practice Staff. 1991, Vol. 3, No.4. 8-10.
  • Polsky, R. Should food reward be used to train a dog? Veterinary Practice Staff. 1991, Vol. 3, No.5.
  • Polsky, R. Interviewing owners about pet behavioral problems. Veterinary Practice Staff. 1992, Vol. 4. No. 1. pp.17-19.
  • Polsky, R. Questions about dominance aggression in dogs. Veterinary Practice Staff, 1992, Vol. 4, No.3. 1, 7-9.
  • Polsky, R. How do you know if a dog’s aggressive behavior can be changed? Veterinary Practice Staff, 1993, Vol. 5, No.1. 15-19.
  • Polsky, R. The misbehavior of owners. Veterinary Practice Staff, 1993, Vol. 5, pp. 3-6.
  • Polsky, R. Diazepam induced defensive aggression in a cat. Feline Practice, 1993,Vol. 21, 21- 22.
  • Polsky, R. Does Thyroid Dysfunction Cause Behavioral Problems? Canine Practice, 1993, Vol. 18, 6-8.
  • Polsky, R. Helping Rover to Relax: A Complete Guide to Understanding Canine Stress, Anxiety and Emotions. 1993. HWE, Inc. North Hollywood, CA. pp. 1-19.
  • Polsky, R. Comments on buspirone for urine spraying in cats. Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, 1994, Vol. 7, pp. 3-4.
  • Polsky, R. Electronic shock collars: Are they worth the risks? J. American Animal Hospital Association. 1994, Vol. 30, pp. 463-468.
  • Polsky, R. Ethology: A foundation for treating behavior problems. Veterinary Medicine, 1994, Vol. 89, pp. 192-195.
  • Polsky, R. The steps in solving behavior problems. Veterinary Medicine, 1994, Vol. 89, pp. 504-507.
  • Polsky, R. No-nonsense textbooks on dog and cat behavior. Veterinary Medicine, 1994, Vol. 89, pp. 941-943.
  • Polsky, R. Guidelines to follow when using drugs in behavioral therapy. Veterinary Medicine, 1995, Vol. 90, pp. 289-831.
  • Polsky, R. Methods used in behavior therapy. Veterinary Medicine. 1995. Vol. 90. pp. 524-527.
  • Polsky, R. Wolf hybrids: Are they suitable as pets? Veterinary Medicine. 1995. Vol. 90. pp. 1122-1124.
  • Polsky, R. Recognizing dominance aggression in dogs. Veterinary Medicine. 1996. Vol. 91. pp. 196 – 201.
  • Polsky, R. Medical treatment of dominance aggression in dogs. Veterinary Medicine. 1996. Vol. 91, pp. 416 – 419.
  • Polsky, R. Review of “Veterinarian’s Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior.” by Bonnie Beaver. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 1998, Vol. 58, pp. 205-207.
  • Polsky, R. Can aggression in dogs be elicited through the use of electronic pet containment systems? J. Applied Animal Welfare Science, 2000, 3(4), 345-357.
  • Polsky, R. Provocation as a defense in dog-bite cases. California Lawyer, February 1998. p. 28.
  • Polsky, R. Guidelines for behavioral discovery in dog-related injury cases. In D. Favre and Peter Borchelt, Eds. Animal Law & Dog Behavior. Lawyers & Judges Publishing Co. Tucson, AZ. 1998. pp. 333-340.
  • Polsky, R. Issues about animal behavior relevant to dog-bite statutes. In D. Favre and Peter Borchelt, Eds.Animal Law & Dog Behavior. Lawyers & Judges Publishing Co. Tucson, AZ. 1998. pp. 345-357.
  • Polsky, R.  Animal behavior analysis of liability in dog bite cases. National Trial Lawyers Magazine (Web edition). July 2014
  • Polsky, R. Excessive force and the dangerous nature of attack-trained police K9s. The Forum Magazine. March/April 2019
  • Polsky, R. The inherently dangerous nature of attack-trained police K9s. The Plaintiff Magazine. July 2018

Featured stories, interviews, television & radio (partial listings)

  • May 1983. Television – Italian National Television
  • Sept. 1983.  Television – PM Magazine
  • July 1983.  Feature story – Los Angeles Daily News
  • April 1983.  Feature story – Los Angeles Times 
  • June 1983. Interview –  KNX-FM Los Angeles
  • July 1983. Feature story – Long Beach Press-Telegram.
  • July 1983. Feature story – Pasadena Star-News (July 10, 1983)
  • July 1983. Interview – KFWB News Radio, L.A. At Large with Cleeve Herman 
  • Feb.1984. Television – Two on the Town
  • May 1984. Feature story – Orange Coast Magazine. 
  • Dec. 1985. Feature story – Cats Magazine
  • March 1985. Interview – KABC Radio,  Michael Jackson Show. .
  • Oct.  1986. Television – Eye on L.A.
  • Oct. 1986. Feature story – Picture Week Magazine. 
  • May 1998. Feature story – San Gabriel Valley Weekly.
  • Aug. 1990. Feature story – Santa Monica Evening Outlook
  • 2/15/01. Television, Sam Donaldson, ABC News.Topic: San Francisco Dog Mauling.
  • 6/28/05. Interview, KGO radio, San Francisco. Topic: Pit bull mauling in San Francisco.
  • 8/5/05. Interview Los Angeles Times.Topic: Fatal dog attack in Los Angeles.
  • 1/8/05. Interview. Chicago Public Radio.Topic: Pit Bulls.
  • 2/1/05. Interview. Desert News in Salt Lake. Topic: Cat Bites.
  • 6/2/06. Interview. WJBC Radio, Bloomington, IN. Topic: Laws pertaining to dangerous dogs.
  • 10/5/06. Interview,  Newstalk 1350 KSRO, Santa Rosa, CA. (CNN affiliate) Topic: Pit Bulls.
  • 12/1/06. Interview, Santa Monica Daily Press, Santa Monica, CA. Topic: Depression in dogs.
  • 3/7/07. Interview, Taunton Gazette, Taunton, MA. Topic: Pit Bulls.
  • 4/27/07. Interview, The Arkansas Democratic Gazette.Topic: Pit-bulls.
  • 5/29/07. Interview,  BBC World New Service. Topic: Rent-a-Dog business by FlexPetz.
  • 6/8/07. Interview Chicago Tribune Topic: Temperament testing in dogs.
  • 8/3/07. Interview, Los Angeles Times: Topic: Dog bite fatality that killed actor Ving Rhames.
  • 8/4/07. Interview, CBS Saturday Morning Show: Topic: Fatal dog attacks.
  • 11/15/07. Interview, Press-Enterprise, Riverside, CA.Topic:  Pros and cons of dog parks.
  • 4/20/08. Interview, Shape Magazine Topic: Hostile encounters with dogs.
  • 4/23/08. Interview KFWB radio. Topic: Fatal attack by a grizzly bear at facility that trains exotic animals.
  • 9/5/08. Interview, Herald Sun Newspaper, Durham, NC. Topic: Tethering in dogs.
  • 9/8/08. Interview, New Jersey Herald Newspaper. Topic: Fatality inflicted by 3 yo husky dog on 6 day-old infant. 
  • 8/3/12. Television, Television Discovery Channel (Canada). Topic: Canine Extra-Sensory Perception.
  • 2/1/15. Interview,  Detroit Free Press. Topic: Fatal dog attack by Cane Corsos.
  • 12/20/17. Interview People Magazine. Topic: Fatal dog attack in Virginia.
  • 3/2/20. Interview on Chorus Radio 680, Winnipeg. Topic: Pack of unsupervised American Bulldogs terrorize Winnipeg.
  • 4/15/20.  Interview. The Marshall Project. Topic: Police K-9 attacks on people. (The Marshall Project is a nonprofit news organization covering the U.S. criminal justice system.)
  • 10/21/20. Interview, Washington Post. Topic: Videos showing dangerous nature of attack trained police K9’s.
  • 12/2/20. Interview, Tallahassee Democrat. Topic: Fatal dog attack by pack of stray dogs in Tallahassee FL.
  • 4/21/21  Interview, The Salt Lake Tribune. Topic: Police K9 attacks on people.
  • 9/10/21  Interview, 10 Tampa Bay. Topic: Training and control of attack-trained police K9s.
  • 3/22/22 Interview with a reporter from WYFF  Television, Greenville, SC.  Topic:  Severe mauling of lady by three dogs in rural area in Abbeville, County, SC.

Updated January 2023

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