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Scope & Range of Services
Dr. Polsky is highly qualified and experienced animal behavior
expert witness with specialization in dog behavior and cat
behavior including dog bites and cat bites causing personal injury.
Both civil and criminal matters and plaintiff and defense. Assessment
and reconstruction. Dr. Polsky is available to render
expert witness testimony about dog behavior and cat behavior
as it pertains to an animal's dangerous or aggressive propensities.
Third party/landlord cases. Negligence issues addressed. Retained
by attorneys in 200+ cases. Animal behavior practice in Los
Angeles as a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. Strong academic
background with peer-reviewed publications in animal behavior.
Available nationwide.
Expert Witness in: Rottweiler dog bite, aggression
pit bulls, aggressive behavior dogs, aggressive dog behavior, animal
aggression, animal attack, animal behavior specialist, animal
bite,canine expert witness, consultant animal behavior, dog
aggression, dog attack, dog attacks, dog behavior
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case, dog bite expert, dog bite prevention, dog
bite specialist, dog bite testimony, dog bites provocation, dog
expert consultant, dog expert witness, dog that bites, dog
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witness dog bites, negligence dog attacks, negligence
dog bites, pit bull dog bite, pit bull dogs, pit
bull expert, pit bull terriers, provocation dog attacks, provocation
dog bite, specialist dog bites, vicious dog attack, vicious
dog bite,
why dog bite
PERSONAL
Business Address: Animal Behavior Counseling Services,
Inc. 2288 Manning Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90064-2002
Voice Phone: (310) 474-3776 or (800) 605-2227
Fax: (310) 475-9659
e-mail: dr.polsky@verizon.net
EDUCATION
B.Sc. The Ohio
State University, Columbus, Ohio. 1970.
Major: Biopsychology.
Ph.D. University of Leicester,
Leicester, England. 1976.
Area of Specialization: Animal Behavior.
Postdoctoral Study: University
of California, Los Angeles. 1977-1979.
Area of Specialization: Animal Behavior
AWARDS & HONORS
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Brain Research Institute, UCLA. 1977-1978
National Research Service Award, National Institute of Mental
Health. 1979
ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT
Research Associate in Animal Behavior. Joint appointments in
the Department of Psychiatry, University
of Birmingham, Birmingham England and in the Ethology Laboratory
at All Saints Hospital, Birmingham, England. 1974-1976
Research Psychologist in Animal Behavior. Department of Psychiatry
and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los
Angeles. 1979-1982
NON-ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT
President, Animal Behavior
Counseling Services, Inc. Los Angeles, CA.. 1981-present.
Job responsibilities include: (a) Provide direct services
to owners experiencing behavioral problems in their dogs and
cats. Dr. Polsky has personally trained over 8000 dogs. (b) Behavioral training classes for dogs
- these classes have been ongoing in Los Angeles since 1985.
Part-time paid staff position at Los Feliz Animal Hospital,
Los Angeles, CA. 1997-1998.
Position entailed providing consultation services to the
clientele of the hospital regarding behavioral problems in
dogs and cats.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant, undergraduate Animal Behavior Laboratory,
Department of Psychology, University of Leicester. 1972-1973
Instructor, South Bay Adult School, Redondo Beach, CA. Course
Title: "Understanding Your Dog" 1983-1986
Instructor, Home Study Program in Behavioral Modification for
Dog and Cats. Approved for continuing education credit for veterinarians
by the California Veterinary Medical Association. 1992
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Association
for the Study of Animal Behaviour. 1972 - 1981
Animal Behavior
Society 1982 - present
American Psychological
Association 1982 - present
Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology Group,
Division of the American Psychological Association. 1997
- present.
International
Society of Applied Ethology 1997- present
American
Association for the Advancement of Science, 2000 - present.
PRESENTATIONS AT SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS (Partial listing)
Polsky, R. Factors Associated With Treatment Outcome
in Dogs Presented With
Behavioral Problems. Paper presented at the Conference on
the Human-Animal Bond, Irvine, CA. June, 1983.
Polsky, R. Variables Affecting Treatment Outcome in
Dogs Presented for Behavioral Problems. Paper presented at the
Annual Meeting of the Animal Behavior Society, Durham,
NC. June, 1985.
Polsky, R. Use of Punishment and Counter-Conditioning
Techniques to Eliminate Obsessive Tail-Chasing in a Dog. Paper
presented at the Annual Meeting of the Animal Behavior Society,
Davis, CA. July, 1993.
Polsky, R. Aggression in dogs elicited through the use
of electronic boundary training equipment. Paper presented at
the Interdisciplinary Forum in Applied Animal Behavior, Denver,
CO. March, 1998
Polsky, R. Behavioral differences in puppies as measured
in self-report data from their owners. Paper presented at the
Interdisciplinary Forum in Applied Animal Behavior, Atlanta,
GA. March, 1999.
Polsky, R. Can aggression in dogs be elicited through
electronic pet containment systems? Paper presented at the Annual
Meeting of the Animal Behavior Society, Atlanta, GA. August,
2000.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS (Partial listing)
Invited Speaker, Los Angeles SPCA. 1987. Presentation: "Canine
social behavior and problem solving techniques."
Featured Speaker, Southern California Korean Veterinary Medical
Association, 1992.
Presentation: "Diagnosis and treatment of aggressive behavioral
problems in dogs and cats."
Invited Speaker Southern California Veterinary Medical Association.
1983 -1994
(Approximately 15 lectures on dog and cat behavior presented
at veterinary chapter meetings)
Featured 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.
Invited Speaker, 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.
Invited Speaker VCA-Wes Los Angeles Veterinary Medical Group.
Introductory lecture
on companion animal behavior presented to incoming interns in
veterinary medicine, 1989 - 2000.
Invited Speaker, 19th Annual Feline Medicine Symposium. School
of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis. February,
2001. Presentation: "Inappropriate elimination and aggression
in cats."
Invited Speaker, San Fernando Valley Chapter of the Southern
California Veterinary Medical Association. February, 2001. Presentation:
"Diagnosis and treatment of aggressive behavioral problems
in cats."
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
Certified
as an Applied Animal Behaviorist by the Animal Behavior Society.
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SUMMARY OF FORENSIC
WORK THROUGH 2001
Number of occasions retained as an
dog behavior expert in civil cases : Approx. 160
Number of occasions retained as cat
behavior expert in civil cases : Approx.7
Number of occasions retained as an
dog behavior expert in criminal cases : Approx. 8
Division between work for Plaintiff
vs. Defense : 55% plaintiff, 45% defense
Number of Depositions given : Approx.
90
Number of times testifying at trial
: Approx. 40
States outside California where deposition
or trial testimony has been given: Texas, Nevada,
New Jersey, New York, Arizona, Virginia, Flordia,
Georgia, South Carolina
Counties in California where deposition
or trial testimony has been given (partial listing):
Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, Orange, Ventura,
Kern, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, Alameda, Fresno,
Merced, Sacramento, San Mateo, Tuolumne
Percentage of professional time spent
in forensic-related work in 2001: Approx. 15%
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COURT APPROVALS AS AN EXPERT WITNESS
People v. Sandoval. Case # PA 031394. San Fernando Division,
Los Angeles Superior Court by Judge Meredith Taylor May,
1999.
People v. Carter. Case # KA 044228. Pomona Division,
Los Angeles Superior Court by Judge Judith Vander Lans. June,
1999.
People v. Corral. Case # PA 029842. San Fernando Division,
Los Angeles Superior Court by Judge Meredith Taylor. June,
1999.
State of South
Carolina v. Speagle Case # F-945152. Fairfield County, South
Carolina by Judge Paul M. Burch. June, 2000.
People v. Graham Case # SA 038179 Los Angeles Division,
, Los Angeles Superior Court by Judge Stephanie Sautner. August,
2000.
People v. Gomez Case # KA 046685 Pomona Division, ,
Los Angeles Superior Court by Judge Robert M. Martinez. October,
2000.
People v.Bates Case # BA 205430. Los Angeles Division,
Los Angeles Superior Court by Judge Michael Kellog. November,
2000.
People v. Robert Noel Case # SCN 181813-2. Superior
Court of California, County of San Francisco by Judge James
Warren, December 2001.
MISCELLANEOUS PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Certification
of Appreciation for speaking engegement to Southern California
Alaskan Malamute Club, 1983.
Paid Consultant to the Los Angeles City Department of Animal
Regulation, 1987.
Paid Consultant in Animal Behavior to the Los Angeles SPCA,
1990-1992.
Publisher of newsletter entitled Bulletin on Companion Animal
Behavior. Published quarterly from 1988 - 1992, 1997 - 2000
(complimentary copies available). (renamed in 1999 "Dr.
Polsky's Newsletter on Dog & Cat Behavior").
Publisher of a newsletter entitled Dog
Behavior and the Law. Published semi-annually for distribution
to attorneys. (complimentary copies available).
Expert witness on the Judge Judy Show, September 1998.
Dr. Polsky rendered testimony in a custody dispute over a dog.
Paid Consultant in animal behavior for television show produced
and aired by Fox Television. "When Good Animals Do Bad
Things", November, 1998.
Paid Consultant to Los Angeles Department of Animal Regulation,
September, 1999.
Editorial consultant / reviewer of manuscripts for veterinary
text book publisher Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins Publishing
Co. Baltimore, MD. December, 2000
Invited expert on live internet broadcast discussing the fatal
dog attack on Diana Wipple in San Francisco : Sam Donaldson@ABC
NEWS.com. February, 2001.
Publisher of newsletter entitled Literature
Review on Applied Dog and Cat Behavior ( Volume1.1 published
in Winter, 2001).
AUTHORED BOOKS
User's Guide to the Scientific and Clinical Literature
on Dog & Cat Behavior. 2nd Ed.
Published by: Animal Behavior Counseling Serives, Inc., Los
Angeles, CA. 1995. Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number
91-73115. ISBN: 0-9630005-0-0
RESEARCH IN PROGRESS
"Development of behavioral differences in dogs."
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PUBLISHED PAPERS IN VETERINARY & ANIMAL BEHAVIOR JOURNALS
1974
Polsky, R. Effects of novel environment on predatory
behavior in golden hamsters. Perceptual & Motor Skills,
1974, Vol. 39, pp. 55-58. (peer reviewed)
1975
Polsky, R. Hunger, prey feeding, and predatory aggression.
Behavioral Biology, 1975, Vol. 13, 81-93. (peer reviewed)
Polsky, R. Developmental factors in mammalian predation.
Behavioral Biology, 1975, Vol. 15, pp. 353-382. (peer reviewed)
Polsky, R. Conspecific defeat, isolation/grouping,and
predatory behavior in golden hamsters. Psychological Reports,
1976, Vol. 38, pp. 571-577. (peer reviewed)
1977
Polsky, R. The ontogeny of predatory behavior in the
golden hamster (M.a.auratus). I.
The influence of age and experience. Behaviour, 1977, Vol. 61,
pp. 26-27. (peer reviewed)
Polsky, R. The ontogeny of predatory behavior in the
golden hamster (M.a.auratus). II. The nature of the experience.
Behaviour, 1977, Vol. 61, pp. 58-81. (peer reviewed)
1978
Polsky, R. The ontogeny of predatory behavior in the
golden hamster (M.a.auratus). III. Sensory pre-exposure. Behaviour,
1978, Vol. 63, pp.175-191. (peer reviewed)
Polsky, R. The ontogeny of predatory behavior in the
golden hamster (M.a.auratus). IV. Effects of prolonged exposure,
ITI, size of prey, and selective breeding. Behaviour, 1978,
Vol. 65, pp. 27-42. (peer reviewed)
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. (peer reviewed)
1979
Polsky, R. The effects of water deprivation on the initiation
of predation in golden hamsters. Psychological Reports, 1979,
Vol. 44, pp. 995-998. (peer reviewed)
1981
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. (peer
reviewed)
1983
Polsky, R. Factors Influencing Agressive Behavior in
Dogs. California
Veterinarian, October 1983, pp. 12-15.
1985
Polsky, R. Understanding
the Job of the Animal Behaviorist. The Latham Letter, Fall,
1985, pp. 12-13.
1989
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.
1990
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 versus Nurture: Problem
dogs or problem owners? Veterinary Practice Staff. 1990, Vol.2,
No.5, 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.
1991
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.
1992
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.
1993
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 Pracitce, 1993, Vol. 21, 21-22. (peer reviewed)
Polsky, R. Does Thyroid Dysfunction Cause Behavioral
Problems? Canine Practice, 1993, Vol. 18, 6-8. (peer reviewed)
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.
1994
Polsky, R. Comments on buspirone for urine spraying
in cats. Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, 1994,
Vol. 7, pp. 3-4. (peer reviewed)
Polsky, R. Electronic shock collars: Are they worth
the risks? J.
American Animal Hospital Association. 1994, Vol. 30, pp. 463-468.
(peer reviewed).
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.
1995
Polsky, R. Guidlines 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. (peer reviewed)
1996
Polsky, R. Recognizing dominance aggression in dogs.
Veterinary
Medicine. 1996. Vol. 91. pp. 196 - 201. (peer reviewed)
Polsky, R. Medical treatment of dominance aggression
in dogs. Veterinary Medicine. 1996. Vol. 91, pp. 416 - 419.(peer
reviewed)
1998
Polsky, R. Review of "Veterinarian's Encyclopedia
of Animal Behavior." by Bonnie Beaver. Applied Animal Behaviour
Science. 1998, Vol. 58, pp. 205-207. (peer reviewed)
2000
Polsky, R. Can aggression in dogs be elicited through
electronic pet containment systems? J.
Applied Animal Welfare Science. 2000, 3(4), 345-357. (peer
reviewed)
PUBLISHED PAPERS IN LEGAL PUBLICATIONS
1998
Polsky, R. Provocation as a defense in dog-bite cases.
California Lawyer, February, 1998. p. 28. (peer reviewed)
Polsky, R. Guidlines 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. (peer reviewed)
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. (peer reviewed)
FEATURED STORIES IN NEWS MEDIA
Dr. Polsky's work as an applied animal behaviorist rendering
behavioral therapy to dogs and cats has been the subject of
feature stories in the news media. A partial list of stories
that have appeared are as follows:
Television
Eye on L.A. (October, 1986) P.M. Magazine (September, 1983)
Two on the Town (February, 1984)
Italian National Television (May, 1983)
PM Magazine (September, 1993)
Radio
KABC Radio, Live 60 minute interview on Michael Jackson Show
(March, 1985)
KFWB News Radio, L.A. At Large with Cleeve Herman (July, 1983)
KNX-FM Los Angeles, Live 60 minute interview on show entitled
" Free Forum" (June, 1983)
Newspaper
San
Gabriel Valley Weekly (Supplement to the Los Angeles Times
- San Gabriel Valley Edition, May, 1998)
Santa Monica Evening Outlook (August, 1990)
Pasadena Star News (July 10, 1983)
Daily News (July 15, 1983)
Los Angeles
Times (April 20, 1983)
Long Beach Press Telegram (July 20, 1983
Magazine
Picture Week Magazine (October, 1986)
Orange Coast Magazine (May, 1984)
Cats Magazine (December, 1985)
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