"Of the 41 fatal dog attacks from 2000-2001, there were 28 deaths from a single dog attack and 13 deaths from a multiple dog attack. Of the 28 single dog attacks; 26 were male and two were female.
Of the 26 fatalities caused by a single male dog from 2000-2001, it was found that 21 of these dogs were not neutered. (The reproductive status of the remaining five male dogs could not be determined)."
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"Other studies have documented that unneutered dogs are 2.6 times more likely to bite than neutered dogs; and male dogs are 6.2 times more likely to bite than female dogs." (4)
Fatal Dog Attacks: The Stories Behind the Statistics - By Karen Delise (pg. 13-14)
Not surprising considering that in our species 90% of violent crimes are committed by men. But while that is interesting, such is usually not included in news reports.
And of course by “family dog” the media usually means intact, unsocialized, unvetted and untrained dog living on a chain in the backyard. It is fact that dogs living in such conditions become aggressive. (One more reason chaining should be outlawed.) Dogs are social creatures and become frustrated (to put it mildly) when they are kept in such an environment. How many of those stories mention in passing that the dog/dogs “broke from their chain(s)”. Very revealing.
Oh, and for those not paying attention: this was not a Staffordshire Terrier.... but a bulldog (or at least one was). For those who believe every dog involved in a bite is a Terrier/commonly considered to be a “pit bull”, now you know.
Prayers for the family.