Dog attacks involve the deliberate use of trained police or military dogs to inflict physical harm and instill fear in individuals on the move. Border authorities may release dogs on detained or fleeing individuals, leading to serious injuries such as bites, lacerations, and puncture wounds, which can become infected due to lack of medical care.
The psychological impact of being attacked by a dog can leave lasting trauma. This method of violence serves not only as a direct physical threat but also as a tool of dehumanization – a technique we have also seen used against many protest movements.
Dog attacks constitute a violation of multiple international legal frameworks, including Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment. Furthermore, this practice breaches the United Nations Convention against Torture, underlining the degree of cruelty often embedded within border enforcement operations.
