gene siskel of the "chicago tribune" gave the film zero stars out of four, noting that every dog attack scene was "photographed the same way" and writing that "we are supposed to believe that our own little pets can become unhinged killers when they smell something. i didn't buy it." kevin thomas of the "los angeles times" called it "the latest exploitation picture in which beasts turn upon men. along with the obligatory grisly special effects this efficiently made little film generates a fair amount of tension and is reasonably diverting. it's one of the better efforts in the genre."