I know that the vast majority of news items about dog attacks involve Pit Bulls.
What are the actual statistics on dog attacks, broken down by breed?
Is a given Pit Bull actually more likely to attack than a dog of some other breed?
Dog Bite Fatalities January 2006 to December 2008 PDF Print E-mail
DogsBite.org, a national dog bite victims’ group dedicated to reducing serious dog attacks by creating common sense laws, releases its first multi-year report on U.S. dog bite fatalities. The report covers a 3-year period — from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2008 — and analyzes data gathered from 88 dog bite incidences that caused death to a U.S. citizen.
The report documents dog breed information, property information (where the attack occurred) as well as dog bite victim age information.
Of the 88 fatal dog attacks recorded by DogsBite.org, pit bull type dogs were responsible for 59% (52). This is equivalent to a pit bull killing a U.S. citizen every 21 days during this 3-year period. The data also shows that pit bulls commit the vast majority of off-property attacks that result in death. Only 18% (16) of the attacks occurred off owner property, yet pit bulls were responsible for 81% (13).
Pit bulls are also more likely to kill an adult than a child. In the 3-year period, pit bulls killed more adults (ages 21 and over), 54%, than they did children (ages 11 and younger), 46%. In the 21-54 age group, pit bulls were responsible for 82% (14) of the deaths. The data indicates that pit bulls do not only kill children and senior citizens; they kill men and women in their prime years as well.
The report also shows that of the six victim age groups documented, the 55 and older group suffered the most fatalities 26% (23), followed by the 2-4 age group 22% (19). Between the ages of 0-4, the study reveals that 14% (12) of the fatal attacks involved a “watcher,” a person such as a grandparent or babysitter watching the child. Of these attacks, 75% (9) involved a grandparent type.
The founder of DogsBite.org, Colleen Lynn, adds, “The off-property statistical data about pit bulls shows just how dangerous they are.” She noted that six senior citizens were killed under these circumstances: “Two were killed while standing in their own backyard,” she said. “Four others were killed while taking a morning walk or getting the mail.”
To read the full 4-page report, U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities January 2006 to December 2008, please visit the following URL:
http://www.dogsbite.org/reports/dogsbite-report-us-dog-bite-fatalities-2006-2008.pdf
He likes to gather up every case of thugs who turn their dogs into monsters, or ambiguous dogs automatically described as “pit mixes” (despite being double the upper weight of an actual pit bull) etc in his obsession over dog bans.
The appropriate response is to use the “Report Abuse” button and tag is as Spam.
Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada
September 1982 to November 13, 2006
http://www.dogbitelaw.com/Dog%20Attacks%201982%20to%202006%20Clifton.pdf
Here are human deaths that occurred in 2007 according to this web site but aren't breed specific as to responsible dog......Dogbitelaw.com
| One bite states | Mixed statute states | Strict liability statute states |
|---|---|---|
| Texas 7 | Georgia 4 | Florida 3 |
| Montana 1 | Tennessee 3 | South Carolina 2 |
| Virginia 1 | New York 1 | Alabama 2 |
| North Carolina 1 | Michigan 2 | |
| Minnesota 1 | ||
| Illinois 1 | ||
| Oklahoma 1 | ||
| California 1 | ||
| Indiana 1 | ||
| Arizona 1 | ||
| Total 10 | Total 8 | Total 15 |
The following site gives stats on breeds.
Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada September 1982 to November 13, 2006... Merritt Clifton